It’s bitter cold on the ground, but warmer air in the atmosphere has lowered expected snow totals for Sunday’s winter storm, forecasters said Saturday afternoon.
Still the storm is expected to have a “major impact” on the region, which now is expected to see a mixture of ice and sleet on top of the snow that does fall.
Snowfall estimates for the Lehigh Valley were lowered slightly to 8-12 inches during the storm, which is expected to begin after midnight, though localized higher amounts are possible, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Nick Guzzo, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said that the conversion to ice and sleet is likely to occur around noon Sunday.
Updated snowfall totals from the National Weather Service.
“The amount of freezing rain realized will depend on small temperature changes aloft whether it is sleet or freezing rain,” forecasters said in a briefing note. “The combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain will result in MAJOR impacts across the region. There is an increasing concern that some areas will have a prolonged period of accumulating sleet.”
The precipitation will taper off Sunday evening. Some light snow may occur again Sunday night into early Monday morning. Increasing winds Sunday could cause blowing and drifting snow in drier areas.
The Jan. 25 snowfall record for the Lehigh Valley is 10.4 inches, set in 1988. Even if Sunday’s storm doesn’t reach that level, it’s still could be the biggest snowstorm to hit the area in years. The Lehigh Valley is under a winter storm warning from 2 a.m. Sunday until 1 p.m. Monday.
This storm is primarily powered by a strong low pressure system coming in from the Southwest, said Amanda Lee, a weather service meteorologist.
❄️🧊 Here is the latest forecast update for the winter storm starting after midnight tonight through Mon morning. The heaviest precip will occur during the daytime Sun through the evening, then wind down overnight. Lingering light precip into Mon morning. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/S0aQ5c8DP9
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) January 24, 2026
Forecasters said snow will fall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour, resulting in quick accumulations in the morning hours and lingering into the afternoon in the Lehigh Valley region.
The snow isn’t the only forecast concern. Wind chills in the Allentown area are expected to be mostly below zero through next Friday, according to forecasters. Wind gusts of up to 35 mph are expected throughout the week, and high temperatures will be in the teens and 20s.
“Overall, this will be a prolonged period of cold weather, where Cold Weather headlines will likely be warranted in the coming days,” forecasters said. “With such a long duration of below freezing temps, do not expect the new snow pack to melt much.”
With the storm expected to have statewide impact, Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a disaster declaration Friday afternoon and urged residents to stay off the roads. Multiple Lehigh Valley municipalities declared snow emergencies. Most grocery stores and other businesses have announced that they will be closed Sunday.
PennDOT has reduced speeds on highways and commercial trucks will be banned from interstates during the storm.
Both Lehigh County and Northampton County emergency management have issued warnings to residents of the Lehigh Valley, warning them not to take risks by engaging in unnecessary travel.
Northampton County has emergency warming shelters at the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter at 75 E. Market St., Bethlehem and the Safe Harbor Shelter at 536 Bushkill Drive, Easton.
According to a Lehigh Valley Health Network spokesperson, all hospital locations remain open and fully operational, including emergency departments. While the network has made preparations to ensure appropriate staffing levels and continuity of care across all hospitals during the inclement weather, some LVHN physician practices and urgent care sites are operating on a modified schedule.
Additionally, LVHN ExpressCare, Jefferson Urgent Care, and Jeff Express sites will be closed on Sunday and will reopen at noon Monday. The network is requesting patients with non-emergent medical needs utilize virtual care options.
St. Luke’s University Health Network also has taken steps to prepare its hospitals.
“St. Luke’s continuously prepares for such incidents and provides sleeping arrangements and food for our hospital staff. We also have backup power in case of outages,” Gary Blockus, St. Luke’s spokesperson, said.