Forecasters: Multiple snow chances for Lehigh Valley before another Arctic outbreak

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A clipper system could touch off light snow in the Lehigh Valley on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

It’s among several chances for wintry precipitation prior to the arrival of another Arctic air outbreak anticipated for much of the country.

After a cold and blustery Wednesday, forecasters have increased confidence for some potential light snowfall Thursday afternoon and evening.

Generally less than an inch is anticipated, though areas near and north of Interstate 78 could end up with slightly higher amounts.

The weather service called the opportunity for snow “a little more robust than originally forecast, though not particularly impactful.”

“The limiting factor with this system is a lack of any notable moisture advection ahead of it, and a rather dry air mass in place at the surface,” the latest forecast discussion said.

“Whatever snow does develop aloft will take some time to reach the ground, but once it does, temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s will be cold enough to support some light dusting accumulations less than" an inch.

Some localized amounts around Berks County, the Lehigh Valley or southern Poconos could see some additional accumulation.

“While there is some concern with the snow falling around the evening commute, the snow should be light and dry enough to not cause any significant travel issues, especially in light of the residual salt on many roads,” the forecast discussion said.

2nd chance for snow; Arctic air ahead

While temperatures are expected to rebound, milder weather will be accompanied by periods of rain on Saturday, forecasters say.

The big concern is what will come behind it.

A strong Arctic front — with air originating from Siberia — will arrive sometime Sunday, with guidance suggesting the potential for a coastal system late Sunday into early Monday.

Some models keep the system more suppressed and well offshore, while others show the potential for accumulating snowfall.

“The models are deferring on both evolution and timing of it,” EPAWA meteorologist Bobby Martrich said in his latest video update.

Martrich said some models highlight the potential for snowfall as early as Sunday afternoon, with a swath of 1 to 3inches across the region.

He said the potential system “doesn’t have much upside” to turn into a bigger storm, but certainly bears watching.

Behind that system, Monday night into Tuesday, forecasters are watching the coldest air mass of the season expected to be in place across a large portion of the country.

Temperatures are expected to be upward of 15 to 20 degrees below normal through the middle of next week.

That would mean highs near 20 degrees and lows in the single digits, with wind chills potentially below zero at night and in the single digits during the daytime.

“A period of a few days of well below freezing temperatures could lead to some cold weather impacts to infrastructure, including freezing water pipes and high demand for heating energy,” the weather service said.