Light snow Friday could be sign of things to come for Lehigh Valley, forecasters say

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The stage is set for multiple chances for snow over the next few days, forecasters say.

The National Weather Service said flakes will fly across the region Friday afternoon into Saturday morning, with the likelihood of at least some accumulation for the area.

While it may only bring a dusting for the Lehigh Valley, more snow could fall to our south as a quick-hitting system taps into “moderate moisture,” the weather service said.

Graphics shared on X give the Allentown area a 58% chance of at least a trace of snow, but just a 7% chance of 1 inch.

Behind that system, a stronger cold front will sweep through that will drop daytime highs into the 20s for the weekend.

“By Saturday evening, most areas should see temps in the teens to low 20s, which when combined with winds will likely see wind chills in the single digits for most of the area,” the latest NWS forecast discussion said.

All eyes on Monday storm

Trends have continued to favor some impacts from a storm system approaching from the southwest Sunday night into Monday.

Forecasters expect the system will bring widespread accumulating snowfall across the mid-Atlantic region, but it’s still a little too soon to say what — if anything — it will bring to our area.

Several scenarios are on the table, but a few variables are coming into play:

• Cold air will be locked in place, which is one key ingredient needed for snow
• The storm may weaken as it approaches, with the big question being how far north will precipitation extend, and how heavy will it be?
• Models for snowfall continue to vary, with a sharp northern cutoff in accumulation

Because of the uncertainties, additional forecast changes can be anticipated in the coming days, forecasters say.

Cautious optimism for Team Snow?

EPAWA meteorologist Bobby Martrich said those hoping for snow can be cautiously optimistic with the latest trends continuing to pull the storm north.

However, those trends need to hold to bring plowable snow or significant snow to the area.

Martrich said a more northern track could bring “some pretty decent sizable snowfalls.”

“We’re not talking about feet of snow here, but we’re talking about maybe a solid 3 to 6, 4 to 8" inches, he said.

The weather service anticipates “the gradient of snowfall will sharpen quickly somewhere north of Philadelphia over the coming [model] runs.”

“While it is still too soon to tell how much snow will fall, the trend looks to be for advisory level snowfall for Delmarva, sub-advisory amounts for southeast New Jersey and the Delaware Valley, and minimal amounts north of Philadelphia,” the forecast discussion said.