Snow Forecast Prompts Winter Storm Warning in Pocono Mountains

After a period of relatively mild fall weather, residents in the Northeastern United States should prepare for a shift in conditions as forecasters predict a new wave of wet weather, including rain and snow, before the week’s end. Meteorologist Bill Henley from the First Alert Weather Team reported that a winter storm warning is in effect for the Pocono Mountains, starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024. This warning comes as difficult driving conditions are anticipated due to the potential accumulation of several inches of snow.

While snow is expected to blanket parts of the Pocono Mountains, the Philadelphia region and its suburbs are likely to see rain rather than snow, with temperatures hovering in the 40s, noted for feeling colder due to gusty winds. «Folks in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs won’t need their snow shovels Friday,» added meteorologists. These colder conditions are a stark contrast to the recent mild, sunny, and dry weather enjoyed by the Delaware Valley.

The winter weather hit commences with precipitation moving into the area on Friday, potentially marking the season’s first snowfall for some regions. The Poconos are likely to experience ongoing snowfall from late Thursday into Friday, with the possibility of snowflakes reaching parts of the Lehigh Valley as well. Philadelphia is anticipated to see mostly rain, with temperatures staying above freezing.

The National Weather Service cautions travelers, especially those headed north towards the Pocono Mountains on Thursday night into Friday, to be prepared for adverse road conditions. «If you’re heading north Thursday night into Friday, it’s advisable to travel earlier on Thursday or wait until the weekend,» weather experts recommend.

The weekend forecast, post-frontal passage, promises dry yet blustery conditions. Thursday and Friday will be particularly windy, with gusts potentially exceeding 30 mph, continuing through Saturday. These sustained winds may impact participants in any outdoor activities, such as the half marathon planned for the weekend.

In addition to the immediate weather forecast, meteorologists advise the public to remain updated with the latest weather information. Meteorologist Mike Susko elaborated on the situation, citing a low-pressure system off the Jersey Shore influencing the weather pattern in the wake of the cold front. «It’s going to be a north-to-south precipitation event,» he described, affecting places like Harrisburg and Gettysburg later than regions further north.