Heavy snow falls on Lehigh Valley as projected totals jump again, with up to a foot possible; LANTA suspends bus service

Heavy snow began falling Tuesday morning in the Lehigh Valley as a coastal storm is now expected to drop as much of a foot of snow in areas.

Just after 7 a.m., the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said forecasters were anticipating the potential for rapid snow accumulation in areas that have already transitioned to pure snow. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible.

The weather service is now forecasting anywhere between 8 and 13 inches of snow for the Lehigh Valley, according to an updated winter storm warning. That warning remains in effect until 3 p.m.

Already, a trained spotter recorded about 7 inches of snow as of 7:30 a.m. in Breinigsville, according to early weather service storm reports.

The Poconos, which had initially been expected to receive the worst of the storm until Monday night’s models, is back in the bulls-eye, with more than a foot possible in areas.

In its forecast discussion Tuesday morning, the weather service noted that the early spotter reports indicated that forecasters had overestimated the amount of dry air involved with the storm, and accumulations were exceeding expectations. This prompted the weather service to increase the snowfall projections.

The storm Tuesday prompted all school districts in the Lehigh Valley to close or have virtual learning. A number of municipalities in both Lehigh County and Northampton County have announced snow emergencies as well.

LANTA, which had been operating its bus service on a snow emergency, suspended service at 7:30 a.m. due to the deteriorating conditions.

PennDOT has also reduced speeds and placed restrictions on some roads in the Lehigh Valley.  Restrictions are also in place for some roads in the area. Some tractor-trailers, empty delivery trucks, passenger vehicles towing trailers, recreational vehicles, school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches and motorcycles will not be allowed on certain roads starting at 3 a.m.

The following roads have those restrictions and reduced speed limits of 45 mph:

• Interstate 78
• Route 22
• Route 33

In addition to having the same restrictions, commercial vehicles are not allowed on Interstate 80 in Carbon and Monroe counties, according to PennDOT.

Snow is expected to continue through the morning. A much nicer afternoon is expected, according to the weather service.

Outside of Tuesday, there is a slight chance of snow Thursday and Saturday. Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 35. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. West wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: A slight chance of snow after 1 p.m., mixing with rain after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain, mainly between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy.

Friday Night: A chance of snow after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Check back for updates.

Lehigh Valley school closings, snow emergencies and other storm-related announcements

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