Long-Range PA Forecast For March Released: Will We See Snow?

PENNSYLVANIA — The Weather Channel has released its March outlook, and if you're hoping to see some snow included in there, you might be disappointed.

Of course, it's not out of the question we'll finally get some snow during the last few weeks of winter, but don't bet on it. The Weather Channel is predicting the average and above average temperatures will continue in March for the Northeast. Average temperatures in March for Eastern Pennsylvania hover in the low 50s.

The historically-strong polar vortex will likely persist well into March, forecasters with the Weather Channel said in their outlook. A strong polar vortex correlates with warmer than average temperatures.

"This may continue well into March," said Dr. Todd Crawford, the network's chief meteorologist.

It wouldn't be unheard of to get an abundance of snow this late in the season, however. In 2018, the Philadelphia region experienced four nor'easters, with some of the storms dropping as much as 16 inches on parts of the suburbs. RELATED: 4 March Nor'easters In PA: Which One Was The Worst?

The meteorological start to spring is March 1. That's when milder temperatures begin to become more common and widespread.

But even in late February, temperatures are starting to feel like spring.

High temperatures Monday could hit the low 60s in parts of Eastern Pennsylvania, the Weather Channel predicts.

Throughout the first half of February, temperatures in Eastern Pennsylvania were much warmer than normal, with averages of more than 8 degrees above normal across the Philadelphia region, according to the Northeast Regional Climate Center.

In Philadelphia, where the normal temperature for the first half of February is 34.5 degrees, it averaged 41.3 degrees for the first 15 days of February 2020. That's a departure of nearly 7 degrees.

RELATED: New Data Shows Just How Mild February Has Been For PA

Despite the spring-like start to the week, expect some colder air towards the end of it. On Friday and Saturday, daytime highs will hover in the upper 30s.

A system heading into the Philadelphia region by midweek will bring rain — no snow — along the I-95 corridor.

Here is the forecast:

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. South wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: A chance of rain, mainly after 4 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Rain likely, mainly between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., then rain likely with areas of drizzle after 4 p.m. Areas of fog after 4 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Areas of drizzle and fog with a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 41. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Areas of drizzle with a chance of rain before 1 p.m., then rain likely after 1pm. Areas of fog before 1 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 51. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then showers likely, mainly between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. Low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers before 7 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

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