How much snow will we see in PA this winter? See 4 predictions

How cold and snowy will the coming winter be in Pennsylvania?

While winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21st, meteorological winter begins this weekend – December 1st.

Several forecasters have made their predictions about how snowy the season will be here in the Keystone State. Here’s a look at what they say:

According to the private weather company’s forecast, winter will bring some “meteorological twists and turns” that could bring heavy snowfalls and blasts of bitterly cold air. One of the main factors playing a role in this long-term forecast is the La Niña weather pattern, which can influence the trajectory of snowstorms.

The wintry weather will be punctuated by some calmer periods as air from the Pacific flows over the country. Forecasters said the Northeast could see snow in December, although January is expected to be milder.

“Snow shoveling will be needed across the Northeast and Midwest this winter, although they may gather dust for part of the season as weather patterns are a tug-of-war between mild and rainy and cold and snowy,” Accuweather said.

February is the most likely month for the arrival of a polar vortex – a large area of ​​cold, low-pressure air that rotates counterclockwise around the Earth’s poles and can expand in winter, pushing cold air south. However, this year there is less certainty about when and whether the extremely cold air will reach the US mainland

The Old Farmer’s Almanac

In its 2024-2025 outlook, The Old Farmer’s Almanac called for the coming season to be “a quieter, gentler winter” for much of the United States.

“This winter, temperatures will rise and snowfall will decrease across most of the United States,” said Carol Connare, editor in chief of the Old Almanac. “While there will continue to be cool temperatures and snow on most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season are unlikely to be as significant. We predict a moderate, uneventful winter – perhaps a welcome change from the extremes of recent years.”

The Atlantic Corridor region, which includes eastern Pennsylvania, is expected to be average to slightly warmer than average this winter, with the exception of February, when forecasters expect colder than normal weather.

“The region will also experience cold snaps in mid-December, early and late January, and late February,” the release continued.

Snowfall will be slightly below normal across the southern portion of the Atlantic Corridor region, with the most wintry precipitation expected in late December and late February.

The Farmer’s Almanac

The 208th Edition of the Farmers’ Almanac predicts a “Wet Winter Whirlwind” for the 2024-2025 winter season. The forecast calls for fast-moving storms bringing both rain and snow with brief downtime in between.

“We expect the winter of 2024-25 to be wet and cold in most locations,” The Farmers’ Almanac predicts.

The Farmers’ Almanac says there are “red flags” for most of the eastern half of the country during the last week of January. Expect a very active storm track with frequent heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center

Warmer than normal temperatures are expected in Pennsylvania this winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center. Outlook winter 2024-25.

NOAA said the data supports the development of a weak La Niña, lacking some of the stormy impact traditionally seen in such climate patterns. In the Northeast, temperatures along the East Coast are expected to be above normal. The forecast assumes rainfall will be above normal across much of the region.