Timing and totals as storm to bring snow, wintry mix Tuesday

The Brief

Snow in suburbs west of Philadelphia is likely on Tuesday, while Philadelphia and South Jersey will see mostly rain.

The rain-snow line will come close to Philadelphia, which could produce a wintry mix in the city on Tuesday morning.

Rain will become more widespread by the afternoon and the storm should clear the region by the early evening.

PHILADELPHIA – You don’t need to make that emergency run to the store for milk and bread, but Tuesday’s winter storm will bring some places the first snowflakes of winter.

When will it snow?

What we know

Forecasters say the incoming storm will approach Philadelphia around 5 a.m., bringing snowflakes to places mainly north and west of the city.

The rain-snow line will flirt with Philadelphia and places along the I-95 corridor through the afternoon, before rain becomes more widespread.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Advisory from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. for parts of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Northampton and Lehigh counties.

How much will it snow?

Local perspective

Philadelphia and areas close to it will be mostly spared from the snow, but a wintry mix will be possible throughout the morning.

Places north and west of the city will see small accumulations, including Reading and Lancaster, where forecasters expect over 2 inches.

Areas closer to Philadelphia, like Chester and Bucks counties, could also see a dusting of snow from Tuesday’s storm.

Rain changing to snow

Forecasters expect the rain-snow line to wrap around Philadelphia and keep snow mostly away from the city.

Rain will dominate Tuesday in Philadelphia and South Jersey, with showers becoming heavy at times in the afternoon.

The rain will become more widespread as the day continues, as temperatures rise into the 40s in most places.

What’s next

A seasonable weather pattern will follow in the wake of Tuesday’s storm, with three consecutive days of sunshine and temperatures in the 40s.

Conditions will turn more frigid on Friday with highs barely reaching above the freezing point.

Forecasters are keeping their eyes on another chance of more winter weather on Saturday.