Storm Update: What To Expect For Evening Commute In Eastern PA

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — A winter storm is moving through the region Monday, causing school closures and road restrictions in some areas. As of late afternoon Monday, many communities throughout the Philadelphia area have seen little to no accumulation.

Forecasters say the worst of the storm is now expected to pass through in the evening. Between 5 and 7 p.m., periods of "heavier and steadier" snow will spread south and west towards the Philadelphia area, the National Weather Service said.

Accumulating snow is still expected but amounts will be "highly variable" — between one and four inches with higher amounts north and east of Philadelphia.

Forecasters with NBC10 warn the cutoff between inches of snow and only an inch of snow could be separated by 20 just miles.

"There are also be dry gaps during the storm — meaning the snow will stop for some time before picking up again. Don't be lulled into thinking it's over. The hardest wave of snow is expected during the evening," the NBC10 forecast said.

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The National Weather Service, which issued a Winter Storm Warning for Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley and a Winter Weather Advisory for the rest of the Philadelphia region, said heavy snowfall of up to an inch per hour could happen Monday evening in areas north of Philadelphia.

That agency had previously predicted up to five inches of snow in Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley as recently as Monday morning.

Estimates as of Monday afternoon were down slightly:

During the day Monday, heavy snowfall was already reported in parts of Northern New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley.

Forecasters are warning conditions could deteriorate during the evening commute around the Philadelphia region, particularly in the regions where a Winter Storm Watch is in place.

Snow will taper off west to east overnight and will be out of the region by Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service said.

Here's the hourly forecast by county, according to the Weather Channel:

BUCKS: There is a 40 percent chance of snow between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The likelihood of snow increases to 65 percent between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. After that, snow showers will continue off and on until 1 a.m.

CHESTER: Some snow showers are possible at 8 p.m. There is a 35 percent of snow showers from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

DELAWARE: Some snow showers are possible at 7 p.m. There is a 35 percent of snow showers from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

MONTGOMERY: Snow showers are possible starting at 5 p.m. There is a 45 percent chance of snow showers from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.