Philadelphia Braces for Weekend Snowstorm

Philadelphia and the surrounding Midatlantic area are in for a potentially significant snowstorm this weekend, according to computer models. This is not a drill, folks. By Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service had put the odds of at least 5 inches of snow in Philly at 55%, with the possibility of even more.

Supermarkets Rub Hands in Anticipation

Supermarkets like Acme, Giant, Wegman’s, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s are probably rubbing their hands together in anticipation. More snow means more grocery runs, right?

Meteorologists Warn of Big Storm

Mike Lee, a lead meteorologist at the Mount Holly office of the National Weather Service, said, "All signs are pointing to something big." He added, "We know this news might make people anxious, but we want everyone to be prepared."

Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster with NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center, said the models are in "very good agreement," so the chances of this forecast being way off are slim.

Other big names in weather forecasting, like AccuWeather Inc. and The Weather Channel, are also on board with this prediction.

When Will the Snow Start?

The weather service says there's a 30% chance of snow on Saturday afternoon, increasing to 50% Saturday night, and 60% on Sunday. The snow is expected to move from south to north.

Who Will Get the Most Snow?

Oravec said the best chances for heavy snowfall are in a band stretching from northern Texas through Maryland and Delaware. Places north of Philadelphia are less likely to see a lot of snow.

Temperature Drop Expected

After a relatively warm Thursday, with temperatures in the mid-40s, things are expected to get much colder on Friday. High temperatures from Saturday through Monday might not even reach 20 degrees, with or without snow on the ground.

Is It Possible Philadelphia Won't See Snow?

Of course, it's possible. Snow forecasts can be tricky, and sometimes they don't pan out. Some of the key weather features that will drive this system haven't been observed yet by land-based instruments.

Oravec said that while computer models are amazing at predicting large-scale weather patterns, "the smaller details that can enhance the impacts are harder to model."