Christmas Storm To Bring Snow, Rain, Wind To Eastern PA

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — Severe weather is expected to impact Eastern Pennsylvania this week, making for a possibly white — but, more likely, wet and windy — Christmas Eve and Day Flooding and black ice are also possible.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the region, saying a strong low-pressure system and cold front will move across the region later in the day on Christmas Eve and then last through early Christmas Day.

The weather will bring the potential for excessive rainfall and gusty winds. Heavy rain will quickly melt any remaining snowpack, resulting in the potential for flooding, according to the NWS.

There is a chance of snow falling across the Philadelphia region on Christmas morning but accumulation isn't expected, the NWS said.

Any residual standing water may freeze on Friday as temperatures drop below freezing, possibly causing black ice hazards.

AccuWeather says the dramatic weather changes are set to give many "a case of weather whiplash," causing heavy rain that will be followed by a bitter blast of cold air and even some snow from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day.

Lows are predicted to reach the teens on Christmas night.

Here is the forecast: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Rain. High near 59. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 38. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Christmas Day: Rain before 8 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. High near 38. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

With reporting by Tom Davis