Today’s forecast calls for a brisk, windy end to the work week in the Lehigh Valley — a copy, paste and repeat of the average forecast this season.
Temperatures in Allentown are expected to reach the 40s under cloudy skies, and some light snow and rain showers may linger in the Poconos, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion.
But it might finally be the Lehigh Valley’s turn for some flakes this weekend.
Forecasters are watching a storm set to arrive Sunday, bringing with it mostly rain, but also a chance for a period of frozen precipitation (accumulating snow potential is there) for the west/northwest zones.
An area of low pressure arriving later Sunday is expected to also bring some low-level cool air damming, which “should support a period of wintry precipitation across the southern Poconos to even down into parts of Berks County, the Lehigh Valley to far northwestern New Jersey,” according to the NWS.
But, if temperatures warm, it could change to just cold rain — and Wednesday would be the next opportunity for the Valley to see some snow. It’s too early to tell, but forecasters are tracking that system.
The Valley, which gets an average of 32 inches a year, has had almost no snow this winter.
There were trace amounts Jan. 9 and 12, according to the National Weather Service. There were 1.4 inches recorded in December; and 0.9 inches in November.
Although November totals matched the average snowfall since 2000, December fell short, according to the NWS. On average, the Valley sees about 5.5 inches of snowfall that month.
And, the Valley is well behind January averages, which is about 9.5 inches, according to the weather service.
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: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41 degrees. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Rain likely after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday: A chance of rain before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43 degrees.
Wednesday: Rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.
Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.