BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The forecast for a cold, snowy start to the week has gotten "dangerously cold."
Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service at Mount Holly, New Jersey, issued a cold weather advisory for the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Shortly after the weather service's cold weather advisory was issued, UGI Utilities sent an email to customers encouraging them to consider reducing energy usage ahead of plummeting temperatures.
The NWS warned of "very cold wind chills as low as 14 below expected." It said it's likely the advisory will be extended "as temperatures stay dangerously cold through much of the week."
"The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia and frostbite if precautions are not taken," the advisory says.
The weather service recommends using caution while traveling outside and wearing appropriate clothing such as a hat and gloves.
A forecast discussion about the upcoming blustery conditions advises that "the Poconos will certainly get the worst."
Below-zero wind chills
Monday into Wednesday will present the biggest risk for dangerous temperatures, the discussion said.
"The cold will continue to settle in for Monday temperatures remaining well below freezing for the entire area," the discussion said.
"Despite a mix of sun and clouds, highs are only expected to reach the low to mid 20s with only teens for the Pocono Plateau.
"Winds will also keep it blustery through the day with gusts of 20-30 mph out of the northwest. Wind chills will be in the teens to single digits as a result with our friends in the Poconos getting the short end of the stick with below zero wind chills all day."
Some suggestions from UGU Utilities to reduce usage include turning off non-essential lights, sealing drafty areas and dressing in layers indoors and using blankets.
The weather service earlier Sunday said the forecast trended "colder and snowier with all of Southeast Pennsylvania" and all areas "included in the Winter Storm Warning."
The warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Sunday through 1 a.m. Monday.
Heavier snow, too
Predicted snow has increased to with 6-9 inches north and west of Mount Holly, with precipitation moving in late morning into the early afternoon.
The heaviest snow is expected from 4 to 9 p.m., when it could fall at more than one inch an hour, the weather service says. After 5 p.m., the weather service issued a special weather statement for the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area.
"This heavy snow is expected to continue through early this evening before it slowly starts to diminish late this evening," the statement says.
"In these bands, visibilities as low as one quarter mile, snow rates around 2 inches per hour, and very treacherous travel conditions are occurring. If you are in these areas, consider delaying any travel if possible."
Winds gusting as high as 35 mph are possible; areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility, it says.
Roads and especially bridges and overpasses are likely to become slick and hazardous.
"Impacts for people, animals and infrastructure here will be an increased risk of hypothermia and frost bite. Impacts to infrastructure could include frozen pipes and increased demand for heating energy."National Weather Service forecast
Temperatures are expected to fall into the teens tonight and remain below freezing for several days. As a result, icy and slippery conditions may persist even after precipitation has ended.
Along the Interstate 95 corridor, including Philadelphia, 4-6 inches of snow can be expected, it says.
By Sunday night through Wednesday night, "dangerously cold conditions with minimum wind chills below zero are likely," the weather service says.
High temperatures Monday morning through Thursday morning will be mainly in the teens, with lows in the single digits to below zero.
"Impacts for people, animals and infrastructure here will be an increased risk of hypothermia and frost bite," the forecast says. "Impacts to infrastructure could include frozen pipes and increased demand for heating energy."
Dial 511 for updated road conditions
Because of the impending weather, all Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority services including LANtaBus, LANtaVan and LANtaFlex, as of 11 a.m. Sunday.
The weather service said travel could be very difficult, and drivers are being urged to stay off the roads.
If travel is necessary, be prepared with an extra flashlight, food and water in case of emergency.
The state Transportation Department and Pennsylvania Turnpike are asking motorists to avoid travel if not necessary during the storm and to exercise caution when driving.
PennDOT and the Turnpike have said they will implement various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm.
Travel restrictions are in place for the Turnpike I-476 Northeast Extension from Mid-County (Exit 20) to Lehigh Valley (Exit 56).
Travel restrictions also will be in effect at:
- I-78, entire length
- I-81 from I-78 to PA Turnpike 476
- I-80 from I-180 to the New Jersey border
- I-84, entire length
- I-380, entire length
- PA Turnpike I-476 Northeast Extension from Lehigh Valley (Exit 56) to Clarks Summit (Exit 131)
- U.S. 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey border. Route 33, entire length
For more details and the latest travel information, go to 511PA.com or the 511PA smartphone app for the most up-to-date information on weather impacts and vehicle restrictions.
Snow emergencies are currently declared or will be in effect in the following areas:
- Bethlehem from 7 a.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday.
- Allen Township from 8 a.m. Sunday through Monday.
- Easton from 9 a.m. Sunday to noon Monday.
- Nazareth from noon Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday.
- Macungie Borough from noon Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday.
- Lower Nazareth Township from 10 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday.
- Walnutport from noon Sunday to noon Monday.
- Hanover Township, Northampton County, from 10 a.m. Sunday through noon Monday.
- Hellertown Borough and Alburtis Borough beginning at noon Sunday.
- Wilson Borough, West Easton Borough and Fountain Hill Borough began at 8 a.m. Sunday.
- Lehigh Township's declaration will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday.
- North Catasauqua and Tatamy Borough's will begin at 12 p.m. Sunday.
