Lehigh Valley and Poconos snow total projections drop as storm shifts again, with 5-8 inches now expected [Update]

Ravi Singh shovels a sidewalk in the snow Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Bethlehem as snow in the Lehigh Valley is expected to persist through the afternoon before tapering off.

Projected snow totals continue to remain in flux for the coastal storm set to impact eastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday, with the latest forecast showing a drop in snow totals for areas north of the Interstate 78 corridor.

Both the Lehigh Valley and Poconos are now expected to get 5-8 inches of snow, according to an updated winter storm warning from the National Weather Service. That’s a slight drop for the Lehigh Valley, which had been looking at 7-10 inches according to forecasts earlier Monday.

For the Poconos, which had been looking at more than a foot of snow in areas, it’s a major shift.

Snowfall projections for the Lehigh Valley have varied over the last few days. On Friday, forecasters were not sure if the storm would bring rain or snow. On Saturday, forecasters expected 4-8 inches of snow from the storm, but that changed Sunday to 2-3 inches.

In the latest storm update, weather officials said heavy snow is now expected Tuesday morning.

Robert Deal, meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said early Monday there was a shift in the guidance models that showed the storm was tracking farther south than initially expected, which resulted in the change in initial snowfall projections.

The storm is expected to start in the early morning as rain and change to snow between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. The snowfall could be heavy at the start, with some coming down at rates of 1-2 inches an hour, according to Deal.

“The morning commute could be particularly hazardous,” he said.

The weather service said there would be heavy snow north of Interstate 78. Areas south of there could see less snow.

Upper Bucks County could get similar snowfall totals, but areas farther south will likely see less, with 1-2 inches expected there. .

The warning for the Lehigh Valley goes into effect at midnight and continues until 3 p.m. Tuesday. The snow should stop Tuesday afternoon, but it could take some time for crews to clear the roads.

Deal encouraged residents to avoid travel during the morning commute Tuesday, if possible. In addition to avoiding the potentially treacherous conditions, it would also let road crews handle the snow.

“If you can, allow other people to get the roads clean and make stuff better for everybody,” he said.

PennDOT has announced restrictions on some major roads ahead of the storm. 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 in the Lehigh Valley will have those restrictions:

• Interstate 78
• Route 22
• Route 33
• Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension from Interstate 78 to Interstate 80

Additionally, commercial vehicles will not be permitted on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension from I-80 to Clarks Summit during that time period.

Tuesday’s storm marks the first snowfall of the month in the Lehigh Valley. Last month, Lehigh Valley International Airport recorded more than 10 inches of snow between three storms.

It’s been several weeks since the last snowfall. February has been largely mild, with temperatures reaching the upper 50s over several days last week. Other than Monday, which is expected to have a high of 50, temperatures will return to normal this week.

High temperatures in the 30s are expected through at least the weekend.

There is also a slight possibility of snow Thursday and Saturday. Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Snow before 1 p.m. High near 36. Northeast wind around 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind around 10 mph.

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

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Thursday: A chance of rain and snow after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Saturday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

Check back later for updates.

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