A winter storm is in the forecast for eastern Pennyslvania, including the Saucon Valley area, with 5 to 8 inches of snow on Sunday to be followed by temperatures that could dip below zero, according to forecasters.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storming warning that includes Northampton, Lehigh and Upper Bucks counties for heavy snow and winds gusting up to 35 mph between 1 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday.
“Snowfall rates to an inch per hour should develop at times this afternoon,” the warning statement said.
“Temperatures are expected to fall into the teens tonight and remain below freezing for several days,” it added. “As a result, icy and slippery conditions may persist even after precipitation has ended.”
So far there haven’t been any advisories issues for the expected Arctic invasion of cold air, but the NWS said the Lehigh Valley’s high temperatures Tuesday and Wednesay will likely be in the mid teens, with lows between -1 and 2 degrees.
There is also a slight chance of snow Tuesday night, according to the latest local forecast.
In preparation for Sunday’s winter storm, Hellertown borough and Fountain Hill borough have declared snow emergencies, which means that vehicles parked on designated snow emergency routes must be moved.
Fountain Hill’s snow emergency declaration took effect at 8 a.m. Sunday and affects parking along Broadway, Delaware Avenue, St. Luke’s Place from Delaware Avenue to Ostrum Street and Ostrum Street from Mohican Street to St. Luke’s.
Hellertown’s snow emergency takes effect at noon Sunday and will be in effect until further notice.
Parking is available in the Dimmick Park, Water Street and Post Office (Delaware Avenue) public lots. In an email Saturday, the borough said the Tobias Drive lot is currently closed due to ongoing construction, and also advised residents not to park in the Dewey Fire Company and Northampton Street Public Works building lots.
For more information about the snow emergency routes in Hellertown, visit the borough website.
Lower Saucon Township also declared a snow emergency Sunday morning, which is in effect from 11 a.m. Sunday until 3 p.m. Monday. Residents should not park in restricted areas–including cul de sacs and dead end streets–during this time.
“Residents are encouraged to remove parked vehicles from all roadways to aid Public Works snow removal efforts,” township officials said.
Residents throughout the area should also clear snow and ice from around fire hydrants, to help keep them clear in case of an emergency.
The National Weather Service also warned against travel during the storm, due to the fact that visibility could be obscured by blowing snow.
“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” it said. “Travel could be very difficult.”
Residents should monitor weather and local government agencies for updates on the winter storm and expected cold weather to follow.
