Winter Storm Could Bring Snow To PA On Christmas

PENNSYLVANIA — A storm brewing could bring the chance for a white Christmas this year in Pennsylvania.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Thursday and Friday. According to forecasters, a "strong" cold front could bring the potential for a period of heavy rainfall and gusty winds on Christmas Eve. Then, snow is possible on Christmas morning.

A white Christmas — at least an inch of snow on the ground for the holiday — is possible in Eastern Pennsylvania, AccuWeather said.

"A large dip in the jet stream in the East this coming week will lead to mayhem and mischief just in time for the holiday," AccuWeather Broadcaster and Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said in a news release.

The storm will take shape Tuesday over the Rockies. As it shifts east through the end of the week, "it will intensify, with snow, rain or a mix of both in store for most of the eastern U.S. leading up to the holiday."

The rain Thursday in Eastern Pennsylvania could be heavy enough to cause some flooding concerns, especially when combined with melting snow, forecasters predict.

But "bitterly" cold air will sweep in behind the storm, causing a change to snow in many areas. "Depending on the exact evolution of this storm, a change from rain to snow could even occur well into the Southeast," AccuWeather said.

The Weather Channel, which is also tracking the storm, said the colder air will "quickly sweep in behind the front. That could allow snowfall to return to parts of the interior Northeast that were soaked by rain on Christmas Eve."

Check back for updates.

Here is the forecast:

Today: Cloudy, with a high near 39. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Tonight: Rain and snow likely before 3 a.m., then a chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday: Showers, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 56. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers. Low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Christmas Day: Rain and snow showers likely before 9 a.m., then a chance of snow showers between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.