PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The forecast for next weekend's storm that threatened to bring the city's first accumulating snow is changing, and it now appears that Philadelphia and the closest Pennsylvania suburbs will see the most rain from that event on Saturday.
Trends can still change, but this will likely be an all or mostly rain event in South Jersey and Delaware as well. North of Philadelphia, snow is still possible, but even the Lehigh Valley could still see rain.
CBS News Philadelphia
The latest models show some snow arriving in Philadelphia around midday Saturday, between noon and around 2 p.m. But after a few hours, the precipitation will likely turn to rain in the city and south.
Saturday is the next weather alert day for this storm due to the potential for snow and heavy rain that could cause flooding.
We're continuing to monitor this storm on TV and CBS News Philadelphia, so check back often for the latest updates.
Who sees the snow? How much snow is expected in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware?
CBS News Philadelphia
The Poconos and upper parts of the Lehigh Valley have the highest chance of snow accumulation of 2 inches or more, and it will be a slushy accumulation at first. By evening, even the Lehigh Valley could see some rain depending on the track of this storm.
The Pennsylvania suburbs northwest of Philadelphia will see a messy mix on the first Saturday before a change in precipitation.
Philadelphia and South Jersey will see mainly rain although there may be some snow at first.
In the evening, a column of warm air will move north, turning into rain. This rain will likely wash away any accumulated snow in Philadelphia.
What has changed? Latest trends by storm
The storm has just reached land and is only 48 hours away. Once it reaches Earth, more weather balloons can overtake it and analyze it, and the better the data is the closer to the storm.
Warmer waters in the Atlantic Ocean are disrupting snow chances, and warmer air will be drawn in.
The storm is also moving faster than previously expected, so it will get here earlier — perhaps noon Saturday — and move more quickly instead of sticking around until Sunday.
Thursday morning: Cool and damp with some flakes before clearing
Thursday morning we saw a band of snow showers in the Lehigh Valley and over the I-95 corridor in Delaware. The Shore and South Jersey also saw some rain.
Bands of rain should disappear this morning and give way to a partly cloudy day with a high of 44 degrees.
Here's your 7-day forecast:
CBS News Philadelphia
Thursday: Morning rain/snow shower. High 44
Friday: Partly sunny, cool. High 40, low 25
Saturday: Next weather alert day for snow/rain chance; The high is 39 and the low is 27
Sunday: Possibility of rain/snow showers in the morning. High 41, low 35
Monday: Some sun returns. High 42, low 30
Tuesday: Next weather alert for another storm. High 51, low 29
Wednesday: Morning rain. High 53, low 50
