Category Archives: Philadelphia Area Weather Forecasts

Philadelphia Area Weather Forecasts, Winter Storm Outlook

Winter Weather Update- Monday

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The next few days will be a roller-coaster weatherwise.

First,  the Tuesday through Wednesday timeframe should be nothing like this past Sunday’s icestorm.  This upcoming storm on Tuesday will be much warmer and wetter.  While precipitation may start as snow, it will quickly turnover to sleet and then rain.  Some sleet buildup, but it should not be a major concern long term.

Unlike yesterday, temperatures at the surface will rise above freezing and the entire atmospheric vertical column will be much warmer.  So a turnover to heavy rain is expected Tuesday evening and the rain should continue into Wednesday.  There should not be the extensive ice buildup we have just experienced.

Rain continues Wednesday, as the low pressure system moves through to our north, and a cold front will move through sometime later Wednesday. Timing uncertain.

Temperatures will be in the 40s on Wednesday, not likely in the  50s as had been previously thought.

Wednesday night into Thursday, the GFS has the front stalling just to our south as a wave of low pressure develops and moves along the front. The final stalled position of the front is uncertain, but the GFS is pumping out some significant snow late Wednesday into Thursday (4-8 inches) right now.   Too soon to really know at this time.    Stay tuned.

So the only really impactful event may  be Wednesday night into Thursday.

Philadelphia Area Weather Forecasts

Philly Weekend Weather Forecast

Cold high pressure will bring fair skies and cold temperatures to our area on Saturday.  Highs will be in the low 30s.

The high pressure system drifts east and a return flow of moisture will bring clouds on Sunday.  Most of Sunday will be cloudy with high near 32.

Towards Sunday evening, light snow will develop but will mix with sleet and then freezing rain during the evening.

Since ground temperatures have been below freezing and the precipitation is occurring at night, a period of sleet and freezing rain may make driving difficult Sunday evening and night.

The sleet changes over to rain some time after midnight and ends about daybreak on Monday.

Philadelphia Area Weather Forecasts

Philly Winter Weather Update

[#PAwx] The latest models are out and both the NAM and GFS have snow for Philadelphia, starting about 1 PM and continuing through the afternoon and early evening.   As much as 4-6 inches possible during the afternoon before a changeover to sleet and possibly freezing rain early evening on Saturday.   An eventual changeover to rain around midnight is expected.

The models often predict warming of the lower atmosphere to occur more rapidly than actually occurs.  As a result, a period of freezing rain may occur early evening and areas to the north and west may have an extended period of icy conditions.

For whatever reason, the usual hype from the TV forecasters hasn’t yet occurred with this storm, but this heavy snow changing to  extended freezing rain is more of an ‘event’ than other recent snows.  I guess because it will change to rain, the big snow totals aren’t as sensational.   The last time this was glossed over, it was incorrectly labeled a ‘freak ice storm’ instead of a bad forecast.

This sort of weather Saturday afternoon and early evening really is something to keep an eye on since driving can be difficult and the possibility of extended icy conditions is real.