UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the Lehigh Valley for 1 to 3 inches of snow from 7 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday (Christmas Day). “Total wet snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze are expected,” the advisory states. Motorists should be prepared for slippery road conditions if they will be traveling Sunday night or early Monday morning. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts for updates about this developing winter weather event.
Although amounts are expected to be relatively meager–by snowstorm standards–an approaching winter storm could bring a couple inches of snow and a white Christmas to the Lehigh Valley area late Sunday and early Monday, forecasters say.
According to the National Weather Service’s latest hazardous weather outlook for Northampton and Lehigh counties, accumulating snow is expected overnight Sunday.
“Forecast snowfall amounts range between 1 and 4 inches with the highest accumulations expected at higher elevations along the I-80 corridor and west of I-287,” the outlook says. “There is a potential for rain and sleet to mix in and cut down on accumulations farther south into the Lehigh Valley and closer to I-287 in New Jersey. Nonetheless, slippery travel is expected.”
Pennsylvania Weather Action is predicting that 1 to 2 inches of could fall.
“Temperatures will be near freezing Sunday evening, and as a result snow accumulations will be limited to mainly grassy surfaces. Northeast PA is the area most at risk to see accumulations on roads,” lead forecaster Josh Adams wrote in a forecast discussion Saturday.
“There could be a larger storm before New Year’s Eve,” he added.
Any impacts from the Christmas Day storm are likely to be lessened, as schools and most businesses will be closed for the holiday. However, interstate and air travel could be affected.
