The biggest snow of the season is expected Tuesday into Wednesday. Can Philly catch New Orleans?
The forecast is calling for 3 to 4 inches starting late Tuesday afternoon.
Philly may experience its biggest snowfall of the season Tuesday into Wednesday — and it might even catch up to the Super Bowl city in the winter of 2024-25 snow derby.
Computer models as usual have been hedging their bets, but they have been more or less holding serve on the idea that the immediate Philadelphia area would get something in the 3- to 4-inch range between late Tuesday afternoon and daybreak Wednesday.
Forecasters said it is possible that snow could have some impacts on the late-day commute Tuesday, and more certainly on Wednesday morning. It may even start snowing early to midafternoon, said Zack Cooper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly, with the probabilities increasing later in the day into the evening.
The weather service has posted a winter weather advisory for the immediate Philadelphia area, and a winter-storm warning for most of Delaware and parts of South Jersey, including the Shore, where several inches could accumulate.
More snow and sleet is possible Wednesday night from a second storm that is likely to lure in warmer air that would result in a changeover to rain that would continue into Thursday morning.
Where Philly’s snow total stands this season
Historic snow has fallen in the South this winter, and places in New England have added significantly to their totals this month. But for the most part the Philly region has been squarely between the uprights.
“Wide left, wide right, you’re kind of left in between,” said Dave Dombek, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.
The seasonal total stands at 4.9 inches. It would need 3.1 out of this to catch New Orleans, which was whitened with a record 8 inches last month.
Three winter weather “events” this month in Philadelphia have left a grand official total of “a trace,” which is defined as a government-contracted observer sighting a single flake or sleet ball at Philadelphia International Airport.
But the weather service says that is about to change, listing a 99% likelihood that enough will fall this week to accommodate the insertion of a ruler.
What time will the snow start, and when will it end?
Sorry, kids. You have almost no chance of a day off Tuesday or an early dismissal or a learn-at-home day. It looks like you’ll have a legitimate shot Wednesday.
The start time is still uncertain, but it’s likely to happen before sunset Tuesday. The best window for accumulating snow would be late Tuesday night and the early-morning hours Wednesday, said weather service meteorologist Mike Lee.
Chances are excellent that by 7 a.m. Wednesday, when the official measurements are reported, this will have become the heftiest snowfall of the season so far.
“It certainly could be,” said Lee, “and then it’s going to get smushed.”
The reigning snow champ is the mighty 2.0 inches that fell on Jan. 19.
The changeover and temperatures rising well into the 40s are likely to erase much of what has fallen, and Friday may well be the best day of the workweek, with sun and high temperatures in the mid-30s.
It also may be the best day of the workweek for Eagles fans as it should be game on for the Super Bowl parade.
The extended forecast may make the snow lovers feel like Kansas City Chiefs fans: More rain is due on the weekend.