2 weeks Ago
This past winter in the Lehigh Valley was colder with less snow than last year, but despite the recent warmth, temperatures could drop following the start of spring. Mike Gorse, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said January and February were colder than the year before, and snow accumulation was down about 7 inches. “Nothing too exciting that’s for sure if you like snow,” he said.
January’s average temperature was about 25, just a few degrees below the historical average of 30, Gorse said. The colder weather continued last month, which had an average temperature of 31, down from the historical average of 35 for February, according to Gorse. The weather pattern was conducive for a lot of cold, Canadian air, to come to the area, he said.
Lehigh Valley International Airport recorded a low of -8 on Jan. 22. The last time temperatures dropped below zero before that was in 2019 .
At that same time, the Lehigh Valley avoided major snowstorms this winter. The biggest snowfall of the season happened Jan. 19.
About 5.7 inches of snow fell that day. In total, 17.
8 inches of snow fell this winter, roughly 13 inches below normal, and below the 25.2 inches that fell last winter. The Lehigh Valley missed significant snowfalls because storms tracked south of the area most of the winter.
While spring officially started Thursday, the Lehigh Valley has seen temperatures above normal recently. Lehigh Valley International Airport recorded a high of 70 Wednesday, which was the second time temperatures have reached 70 or above this March. The warmest day of the month — and the year to date — was March 11, which had a recorded high of 71, according to weather service data.
Gorse said temperatures over the next few days will trend toward the mid-50s, which is closer to average for this time of year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , in its 14-day temperature outlook, predicts temperatures could be below normal for all of southeastern Pennsylvania over the next two weeks. Additionally, precipitation could be above normal during that same time period, according to NOAA.
While the Lehigh Valley has had its share of snowstorms in March and even April, there’s no snowfall in the immediate forecast. There is a possibility of rain Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, according to forecasters. The Lehigh Valley remains under drought conditions following a record-dry October.
The U.S Drought Monitor , which tracks and displays drought conditions all over the country, showed all of Lehigh County and the western portion of Northampton County under severe drought conditions. Eastern Northampton County is under moderate drought conditions.
The rain over the next few days will not make a major dent in those conditions, according to Gorse. Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service: Friday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.
Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
Monday: Showers likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Chance of precipitation is 70%. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Wednesday: A chance of showers.
Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%..
