Weekend Storm Unlikely To End PA's Snow Drought: Forecasters

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — Some winter weather is possible over the weekend but don't get your hopes up that it will do much to put a dent in the current snow drought.

A storm that could bring rain and some snow to the region Saturday will be far from the blockbuster event snow lovers have been awaiting.

There's a slight chance of snow overnight Friday into Saturday but little or no snow accumulation is expected. Some snow could fall early in the morning but the precipitation will turn to rain, as high temperatures will be in the mid-40s.

On Saturday night, expect some rain that could blend with snow. No accumulation is expected then, either.

Despite the system lacking significant snow, area residents should still be aware that slippery conditions may develop, forecasters warn.

This winter has been a disappointing one for snow lovers, with total snowfall nine inches below what is normal for a season. The normal snowfall per season in Philadelphia is 9.3 inches. This year, 0.3 inches has been recorded in Philadelphia, the National Weather Service said.

The best chance of snow would be in January, when more than six inches is typical for Philadelphia, or February, which has a 8.8 inch average, according to NWS data.

Fear not though: If you're still awaiting the big one, meteorologists say there's still plenty of time.

"We are entering the climatological peak," for snowfall, the NWS out of Mount Holly, N.J. explained.

Four of Philadelphia's top 10 days for snowfall totals have fallen in February, including nearly 22 inches on Feb. 6, 2010, 21 inches on Feb. 11, and 16 inches on Feb. 16, 2003.

AccuWeather says for the short-term, though, the snow drought is expected to continue in the mid-Atlantic region.

Temperatures will be near or above freezing in most areas over the weekend and into next week. Highs in the 50s are predicted early next week.

The current jet stream pattern is preventing the cold air necessary for abundant snowfall. "In order for a big snowstorm in the Northeast, cold air must hold its ground to allow the storm crank out snow instead of rain or a rain and snow mix," AccuWeather said.

Here is the forecast:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Calm wind.

Friday Night: A slight chance of rain between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday: A chance of snow before 8 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain after 11 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 53.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 40%.