New Long-Range Forecast For February In PA Released

PENNSYLVANIA — It looks we may not be ready to put the snow shovels away just yet, forecasters say.

A winter that has been largely lackluster is expected to get colder in February, and snow is also possible during the last half of the month, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center has released a 30-day forecast that says temperatures will be below normal in Eastern Pennsylvania during the month – particularly during the Feb. 15-29 time period, when Arctic air is expected to have a presence.

Here is Climate Prediction Center's map. The blue area indicates the lower temperatures:

Meteorologist Lee Robertson said the Arctic air and colder temperatures will increase the chances that snow could happen in the region.

Accuweather agrees, saying the region will likely be impacted by the polar vortex, a pool of bitter air that often sits over the North Pole during winter, then weakens or becomes elongated.

The frigid air that is normally locked up above the Arctic Circle can eventually break loose and move southward during the latter part of winter, according to AccuWeather.

"We are anticipating that a strong push of Arctic air will take place into the U.S. during the second and third week of February in response to a displacement or weakening of the polar vortex during the first week of February," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said.

Here is the current local forecast:

Saturday: A slight chance of rain before noon, then a slight chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow between 1am and 4am, then a slight chance of snow after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.