Snow Path Changes In Philly Area: See Timeline

EASTERN PA — The first major snowfall of the year may be coming to parts of eastern Pennsylvania Wednesday, complete with up to 5 inches of snow, possible wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour, and minor flooding. However, the latest track shows while some light snow may fall in the greater Philadelphia area, this winter storm will be mostly a wind and rain event.

Up to three quarters of an inch of rain could fall in the Philadelphia area starting around noon, forecasters said. Minor flooding is possible in low-lying and poor drainage areas by the time the storm exits the region early Thursday morning.

While forecasters said Tuesday that some slight accumulation was possible, there is now "little or no snow accumulation expected," the National Weather Service said.

Substantial accumulation could fall in the central and northern parts of the state, AccuWeather predicts. Here are their latest estimates:

In order for the snow drought in the city and Philadelphia suburbs to be snapped, there needs to be at least a tenth of an inch of snow.

Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are also possible during Wednesday's storm, leading to possible downed trees and power outages, the agency said.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Carbon, Monroe, Northampton, Berks and Lehigh counties through 7 p.m.

"Plan on slippery road conditions," the agency said in the advisory. "The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute."

In those counties, total snow and sleet could reach up to 1 to 2 inches in lower elevations to 3 to 5 inches in higher elevations, with bursts of moderate to heavy snowfall potentially exceeding an inch per hour. The snow is expected to change from rain to snow in the late morning to early afternoon north of I-78, then back to rain in the afternoon and evening.

“While forecast snowfall totals may appear less than impressive, high snowfall rates possibly over 1" per hour may case [sic] travel disruptions during the Wednesday morning and/or Wednesday evening commutes,” the National Weather Service said in a statement.

"The potential for this storm to have a negative impact on travel is significant and from a flight standpoint alone is likely to be the most disruptive since a month earlier during the Christmastime Arctic cold and snow outbreak," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski reported.

A Tier 1 vehicle restriction is already in place on I-80 from I-79 to I-I80 and I-76 and I-99, per the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Another Tier 1 vehicle restriction is set to begin at noon for the following:

• I-80 from I-180 to the New Jersey border
• I-81 from I-78 to the New York border
• I-84, entire length
• I-380, entire length
• I-476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from I-78 to I-81 Clarks Summit

Under Tier 1 restrictions, school buses, motor coaches, commercial buses, motorcycles, tractors without trailers and more are not permitted on roadways.

"PennDOT and PTC urge motorists to avoid travel if possible," the agency said. "If travel is necessary, use caution, reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions."

The precipitation is expected to continue through the wee hours of Thursday morning, where possible thunderstorms could take place before 2 a.m., the National Weather Service said. The system is slated to move offshore by daybreak, with partly sunny skies and highs in the mid-40s expected Thursday.

Here’s the latest weather forecast, per the National Weather Service:

Wednesday

A slight chance of snow before 10am, then rain. High near 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday night

Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of rain between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 41. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Thursday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.