Forecasters are tracking a mid-week storm that could drop several inches of snow in the Lehigh Valley.
While Monday is expected to be rainy for most of the region, some wintry precipitation is falling in the Poconos, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion.
The service has extended a winter weather advisory until 10 a.m. for Carbon and Monroe counties, where up to 3 inches of additional snowfall is possible, mainly in the higher elevations.
Drivers should plan on slippery road conditions that could impact the morning commute.
The next round of precipitation for the Valley is expected Wednesday, “bringing another round of widespread precipitation and breezy to windy conditions to the area,” according to the weather service.
The Valley could see 3-5 inches of snow, according to the weather service.
While meteorologists are still tracking the storm and its possible impacts, areas northwest of Interstate 95 will likely start out as a period of snow before mixing with and changing to all rain sometime in the afternoon or evening, according to the forecast.
“Accumulating snow may impact the Wednesday evening commute in these areas (especially north of I-78), but details on timing, exact amounts and southern extent of accumulating snow toward the I-95 corridor remains unclear at this time,” according to the forecast.
The Lehigh Valley, which gets an average of 32 inches a year, has had almost no snow this winter. Less than 3 inches were recorded in November and December by the National Weather Service.
The region is well behind the January average, which is about 9.5 inches, according to the weather service. Only trace amounts were recorded Jan. 9 and 12.
However, weather experts predicted the early lack of snowfall, saying there could be bigger snowstorms over the region during the second half of the winter.
The seven-day forecast, according to the NWS:
Today: Rain before noon, then a chance of showers, mainly between noon and 4 p.m. High near 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29 degrees. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday: Snow likely before 1 p.m., then snow, possibly mixed with rain between 1 and 4 p.m., then rain after 4 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 37 degrees. Light east wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41 degrees. Breezy.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 36 degrees.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43 degrees.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44 degrees.
Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.