Winter Storm With Snow, Ice Expected Mid-Week In Eastern PA

A system bringing a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected to move through Eastern Pennsylvania overnight Wednesday through Thursday morning. However, forecasters said even thought the system is just over a day away, the exact precipitation type and forecast totals remain "highly uncertain."

The National Weather Service predicts snow and sleet accumulations of less than an inch in the Philadelphia suburbs. The storm is expected to impact the entire Philadelphia region, with higher snow and sleet accumulations across the Poconos, where as much as 2 inches of snow and ice could fall.

The winter weather could begin as early as Wednesday evening. "Many locations will start as light snow before changing over to a wintry mix overnight Wednesday," The National Weather Service said.

Precipitation will transition to a wintry mix later in the day Thursday. "Temperatures are expected to warm after sunrise Thursday, changing most locations over to rain by late morning/early afternoon," The National Weather Service said.

AccuWeather notes that there is a potential for "dangerous amounts of ice accretion" into Thursday. "This poses a risk for tree damage and power outages as the storm moves through," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.

AccuWeather forecasters warned that there could be commute issues or delayed openings at schools Thursday.

"This is a highly uncertain forecast. Changes to the exact precipitation types and amounts are expected," The National Weather Service said. "Regardless, the main takeaway remains the same: wintry precipitation will lead to potentially icy and slippery conditions Wednesday night – Thursday morning."

The National Weather Service is expected to release additional forecast details Tuesday afternoon. Check back for updates.

Here's the current local forecast:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: A slight chance of snow after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 34. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow and sleet before 1am, then snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Low around 26. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday: Rain and freezing rain, possibly mixed with snow, becoming all rain after 10am. High near 40. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Saturday: A chance of snow after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 50%.