After a relatively mild, uneventful winter, local residents were reminded that is in fact early February Tuesday when a winter storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service for a storm that could affect the Saucon Valley starting Wednesday evening.
According to the watch statement, a wintry mix is likely to overspread the area late Wednesday with heavy snow possible Wednesday night.
Six or more inches could accumulate.
“The event will likely begin as snow north of the I-78 corridor,” the statement said. “Elsewhere, rain will change over to snow from northwest to southeast late Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Sleet may mix briefly during the transition from rain to snow. The snow could be heavy at times late Wednesday night and Thursday morning before tapering off from west to east during the afternoon Thursday.”
The National Weather Service said travel could become hazardous due to the heavy snow and visibilities that could be reduced to half a mile or less at times.
“Significant impacts to the Thursday morning rush are likely,” it said.
A Winter Storm Watch means there is the potential for significant snow accumulations that may impact travel.
Area residents should continue to monitor the latest local weather forecasts for updates.
Eastern Pennsylvania Weather Authority declared that they are in “Storm Mode” on their popular Facebook page and released a forecast map which places the Lehigh Valley in a zone that’s predicted to receive 6 to 10 inches of snow with locally higher amounts possible.
“Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are possible during the most intense banding expected late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning, leading to poor visibilities and dangerous driving conditions,” their forecast discussion stated.
After a high of 56 degrees–almost 20 degrees above normal–on Thursday, temperatures are forecast to plummet.
Thursday’s high will only be 31, and the low Thursday night is forecast to be 15 degrees, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
