Christmas Week Winter Storm Strengthens As It Nears Philly Area: Forecast

A major winter storm will arrive in southeastern Pennsylvania on Friday afternoon, bringing snow accumulation to parts of the area and tying up traffic on one of the busier travel days of the holiday season.

Anywhere from 5 to 8 inches of accumulation is possible in parts of eastern Pennsylvania, while some areas will receive significantly less if the storm turns to sleet and rain.

"Travel plans could be delayed or disrupted for millions of people trying to visit loved ones or returning home after Christmas," Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys said. "The busy period for shopping, gift exchanges and returns after Christmas may also be impacted."

The storm will begin at around 5 p.m. on Friday, bringing a small amount of snow before the evening. Around half an inch to an inch is expected to fall before sunset.

The stronger weather will come in the evening hours, as a mix of rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet will batter the area through at least 2 a.m. The National Weather Service said the precipitation "could be heavy at times," and 1 to 2 inches of additional accumulation is expected by midnight.

The total accumulation and degree of impacts could still vary significantly based on the temperature. A shift to a few degrees warmer could make more of the storm rain and sleet, perhaps limiting the accumulation and the amount of ice. However, a shift a few degrees colder would mean less sleet and rain and more snow, and possibly more ice on the ground.

Currently, there is a 28 percent chance that more than 2 inches of snow will fall in Philadelphia itself, with a higher probability for the nothern and western suburbs to receive more significant amounts.

The storm will continue into the evening hours and early Saturday, will lower chance of rain and snow through around 2 p.m. The high temperature Saturday will only be 35, so much of what falls could freeze and stick. Current models call for about half an inch of additional accumulation Saturday before the storm mostly moves out of the region by the afternoon, giving way to colder and clearer weather for the night.

Some rain is in the forecast for Sunday and Monday, with up to a quarter of an inch possible.

Friday
Snow likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 33. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night
Rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 1 a.m., then rain and snow likely between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., then rain likely after 2 a.m. The sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday
A chance of rain, snow, and freezing rain before noon, then a slight chance of snow between noon and 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind.

Sunday
A chance of rain after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday Night
Rain. Low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Monday
Rain. High near 55. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 34.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

New Year's Day
Partly sunny, with a high near 33.