The wait is finally over. After a winter that brought frigid temperatures and the most snow in years to the Lehigh Valley, spring has finally arrived.
It won’t take long for temperatures to feel more springlike either, after several days of high temperatures in the 30s and 40s.
The March equinox occurred at 10:46 a.m. Friday, marking the start of astronomical spring in the northern hemisphere, when the sun is directly over the equator and there is an equal amount of daylight and darkness.
By Friday afternoon, high temperatures in the Lehigh Valley are expected to reach the low 60s. The warmer weather will be accompanied by breezy conditions across the region, according to the National Weather Service.
While the day started out partly sunny, by late afternoon there is a 30% chance of showers. By Friday evening, that chance of showers will increase significantly, to 60%. Total rainfall amounts of up to a half-inch are possible, according to the weather service. Winds will increase to 10-15 mph later Friday, with gusts up to 25 mph possible, forecasters said.
After the rain moves out, Saturday will be sunny though slightly cooler, with a high in the upper 50s, according to the weather service.
Warmer temperatures return by Sunday, with a high of 66, making for warm St. Patrick’s Day parades in Allentown and Stroudsburg. There is a slight chance of showers, around 30%, before 2 p.m., according to the weather service forecast.
Next week is looking to be cooler, but still a far cry from the 30-degree daytime weather from this week. High temperatures around 50 are expected Monday through Wednesday, with overnight lows in the 30s.
Here is the extended National Weather Service forecast:
Friday: A chance of showers after 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday: A chance of showers before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51.