UPDATE: Lehigh Valley weather: Wintry advisory, I-78 and I-80 restrictions announced
The Lehigh Valley and northwestern New Jersey can expect an inch or two of snow from Friday afternoon into early Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
That’s a far cry from the 8 to 15 inches forecast for the New Jersey and Delaware shores, according to the weather service’s 5 a.m. Friday briefing.
The weather service has been tracking the unpredictable storm for days as it lumbers its way toward our region.
It’s expected to arrive in the Lehigh Valley by Friday afternoon. We could get snow any time from Friday up to 1 a.m. Sunday, according to the weather service.
Wind chills are a more serious concern for the region from Saturday night into Sunday. The wind chill in Allentown during that time will be -3 degrees. The Poconos will bear the brunt of the high winds. Wind chills Saturday night into Sunday will be a staggering -17 degrees in Mount Pocono.
The weather service’s forecast for the Easton area says there’s a 60% chance of snow Friday, with the possibility of up to a half inch. There’s a 60% chance of snow Friday night into Saturday with the possibility of up to an inch. Snow is likely to come Saturday, with the possibility of up to an inch.
Forecast totals drastically increase once you head south across Interstate 95.
“Blizzard conditions are expected near the coast with strong wind gusts, reduced visibility and snowfall of 8 to 15 inches (with) northerly winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph,” the Friday morning briefing says.
“Heavy snow is anticipated at least as far inland as the I-95 corridor with amounts generally 4 to 10 inches. Northerly wind 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 40 mph,” it says.
“Gale to storm force wind gusts on the coastal waters of New Jersey and Delaware. Minor coastal flooding is expected on Saturday morning along the coasts of New Jersey and Delaware. Dangerous wind chill values on Saturday night and Sunday morning, especially in the Poconos,” it says.
EPAWA Weather Consulting says a storm in the western United States will combine and eventually “phase with northern stream energy associated with a trough currently over the Dakotas.”
The timing of their coming-together is critical for our forecast.
“Just two hours too early or too late with this phase point will have dramatic implications with regard to snow amounts, and how far east/west the axis of heaviest snow reaches,” EPAWA reports.
EPAWA is calling for 1 to 3 inches of snow for our area.
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Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
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