Winter Storm Targets Philly Area During Christmas Week: See Latest Forecast

A series of winter storms could batter the Philadelphia region Christmas week after another round of snow fell early Tuesday, forecasters said.

The second of what meteorologists are calling “clipper” storms is expected to hit southeastern Pennsylvania on Christmas morning. Whether it falls as rain or snow will depend on just how cold it is. Right now, a cold rain is expected to fall while temperatures sit in the upper 30s, forecasters said.

The third and seemingly more significant front will come through on Friday morning through Friday evening, with snow possibly turning to freezing rain later in the day. The National Weather Service has not issued estimated snow totals, but Accuweather says it could be “enough to shovel and plow.”

Check back to Patch for more details on that storm as the week progresses.

“The more southern track could mean more snow and ice of concern for areas farther south in the mid-Atlantic, including Philadelphia, and perhaps Baltimore and Washington, D.C.,” Accuweather added.

All be of the fronts are highly variable, forecasters warn, and the track and strength of the storms could change with little notice.

“Some locations may miss getting snow and ice from one or all three storms,” Accuweather said. “Others may be on the receiving end of wintry precipitation from all three. Which areas receive the most freezing or frozen precipitation will depend on the exact track of the storms.”

Tuesday morning’s storm brought an inch or so accumulation to some parts of the Philly area, which exceeded the forecast’s expectations.

With roads and airports experiencing some of the busiest days of the year leading up to Christmas Day, the powdery coating on the roads could cause significant travel delays.

Here’s the full forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday
A chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of rain between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Calm wind.

Christmas Day
A slight chance of rain before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Friday
Snow, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 35. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Friday Night
Rain, snow, and freezing rain before 1 a.m., then rain and snow likely. Low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Saturday
A chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Saturday Night
A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.