Latest PA Storm Forecast: 18 Inches Of Snow Possible Wednesday

LATEST UPDATES: 8 Maps For Wednesday Snowstorm In Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A winter storm watch has been issued across the Philadelphia region ahead of a Wednesday Nor'easter that is forecast to drop more than a foot of snow in parts of the area. The storm is likely to be "the most impactful winter weather in several years," the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service issued the storm watch Monday. Current predictions call for the Philadelphia region to get six inches to a foot or more of snow Wednesday. The suburbs to the north of the city could see up to 18 inches of snow, the National Weather Service said.

In a briefing issued Monday evening, the National Weather Service said snowfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour for a time late day Wednesday into Wednesday night, "causing significantly reduced visibility and potentially crippling travel impacts in places."

The storm also is expected to bring sleet, rain and wind gusts up to 30 mph to an area stretching from southeast Pennsylvania and northern Delaware to central, northern and southern New Jersey.

The storm will set up as an upper-level trough pushes east into the area and combines with a lower pressure area currently developing off the Southeastern coast. At the same time, a strong high-pressure area settled over Canada will drive below-freezing temperatures into the U.S. east of the Appalachian Mountains and as far south as northern Georgia.

The forecast for Philadelphia calls for freezing temperatures each of the next three nights, with a low of 28 Monday night, 26 on Tuesday and 27 on Wednesday night. On Wednesday, it calls for snow before 2 p.m., then rain and snow between 2 and 5 p.m.

Snow and sleet is expected after 5 p.m. that day, with the high only rising to about 35 degrees. The chance of precipitation on Wednesday is 90 percent.

"For the Wednesday storm, the combination of gusty winds, significant snow, and high moisture content of the snow will have the potential to cause power outages and will likely impact at least the afternoon commute," the weather service said Monday.

The area of heaviest snowfall locally is expected to be north and west of the I-95 corridor, forecasters said.

"We anticipate there will likely be a sharp gradient in snow totals depending on precipitation type.
Additionally heavy wet snow combined with gusty winds could result in sporadic power outages," the weather service said.

With the forecast in mind, Pennsylvania State Police on Monday urged drivers in the area to be cautious. In a news release, troopers in the area offered the following tips and reminders:

• Any vehicle left on roadways or roadsides before the snow will be towed.
• Slow down and keep a safe distance from vehicles in front of you when driving in snow and ice.
• Before driving, make sure to clean the snow off your windshield, headlights, side mirrors and roof.
• In bad weather, headlights must be turned on.
• Allow yourself extra time if you must drive.
• Be sure to have an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes a fully charged cellphone, blankets, a flashlight, bottled water, food, jumper cables and a shovel.
• Avoid driving while fatigued.

Capt. Joseph F. Sokolofski, commanding officer of the state police post covering Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties, said troopers will be patrolling highways and helping the public through the anticipated snow.

He reminded Pennsylvanians of the state's "move over" law that requires drivers approaching an emergency response area to move into a lane further away or slow to at least 20 mph less than the speed limit if they are unable to do so.