Snowstorm Possible Next Week, Hazardous Outlook Issued For PA

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook ahead of a coastal storm that could bring "significant accumulating snowfall" to Pennsylvania on Wednesday. There is also the chance for coastal flooding.

The track of the storm remains uncertain, but accumulating snow is a possibility, according to the weather service.

In a detailed discussion, the weather service said, there is "good model agreement on a southern low developing Tue/Tue Night, intensifying as it tracks NE up the Mid Atlantic coast Wednesday towards the area. There is good model agreement and consistency on development of a coastal low, with strong dynamics and a Gulf/Atlantic moisture feed, approaching the area on Wed...but ultimately storm track will determine if we are looking at a heavy snow event for the entire area, heavy snow for coastal plain and light snow event interior, or a heavy interior snow with snow to rain coast."

It continues:

"Overall, confidence is moderate in a coastal low affecting the region during the Wed/Wed Night time period with moderate to heavy precip, gusty to strong winds, and at least minor coastal impacts. 12z ECE and GEFS ensemble means and operational runs currently signal potential for a significant snowfall for much of the region. Confidence is inherently low this far out, but should see increasing confidence and clarity on details as the responsible shortwave energy works onshore Sunday into Sunday Night," according to the weather service.

Here is the local forecast:

Saturday: A slight chance of showers before noon. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Monday: Rain and snow likely before 9 am, then rain likely between 9 am and 5 pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 5 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

Monday Night: A chance of snow before 7 pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Wednesday: Snow, mainly after 1 pm. High near 32. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 4 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Thursday: A chance of snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.