Storm now expected to bring up to 7 inches of snow

Up to 7 inches of snow could fall today in parts of the Times News area, more than was initially anticipated.

The National Weather Service elevated its winter storm advisory to a winter storm warning for Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh and Northampton counties. The warning is in effect through 11 a.m. Wednesday. 

Schuylkill County is still under a winter weather advisory.

Area schools made the call to close early today just as light snow began to fall.

The National Weather Service said most of the accumulating snow will fall from this afternoon into tonight. The snow will create hazardous weather conditions.

Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, said Monday afternoon the snow this afternoon into tonight “should be a dry snow, powdery snow.”

“Whatever does accumulate should be relatively easy to shovel or move around,” Kines said.

While that might make for less intensive shoveling, Kines said traveling could be another story.

“The roads are going to get slippery during this event,” he said.

Kines said the steadiest, and probably heaviest snow, will arrive this afternoon into the first half of tonight.

He said travel coming home could make for “probably a slow-go.”

Kines said the wind doesn’t figure to be a major problem with this system.

Temperatures were expected to make a run at 30 today, and will likely drop down close to around 20 in the evening, he said.

Kines said Wednesday is shaping up to be a colder day with peeks of sun during the afternoon and temperatures reaching just the mid-20s, followed by a rather cold night with temps dropping down into the teens.

“I think once we get past this system, it looks like it’s going to be smooth sailing,” he said.

Thursday figures to see some sunshine, with temperatures close to 30, and much the same on Friday, with temperatures in the lower to mid-30s, Kines said.

He said the moderation in temperature will continue into the weekend, with temps getting into the 40s.

If everything goes our way, Kines said we may see temperatures close to 50 degrees Sunday or Monday.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of (inclement) weather,” he said. “It certainly would be a nice reprieve from the upcoming chilly days.”

With warmer temperatures comes the cleanup.

“After this snow event coming up, I suspect car washes will be doing some good business,” he said.

The winter weather advisory means that snow will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibility, and use extra caution if driving.

For winter road conditions, call 511.

Send cancellations to tneditor@tnonline.com. See all the local updates at www.tnonline.com.