11+ inches of snow falls in parts of PA as new storm threat emerges

EAST PA, – More than 11 inches of snow fell in parts of eastern Pennsylvania on Friday, and forecasters are now tracking a new storm threat that could affect Thanksgiving travel across the region.

The overnight storm dropped 11.5 inches in parts of the Poconos, according to the National Weather Service. Nearly 10 inches fell in Lake Harmony. In nearby New Jersey, some areas received similar totals, including Highland Lakes and High Point.

No accumulation was reported in the Philadelphia region, although a wet, cold rain continued into Friday morning. In some areas it mixes with light snow.

Now forecasters are tracking a new system that could pose a threat to Thanksgiving travel plans.

“A new storm packing the potential for accumulating snow is poised to take shape over the eastern half of the nation on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, which could result in widespread disruptions to travel and holiday celebrations,” AccuWeather warned in an update Friday .

AccuWeather forecasters say there are two potential scenarios: The first scenario involves a slow-moving storm with prolonged impacts through the northeast. The second scenario sends the same storm south and off the Carolina coast through Thanksgiving. “This would be a less intense storm with rounds of rain and even some snow that could spread from the Tennessee Valley eastward to the East Coast,” according to AccuWeather.

The storm could bring strong winds that could threaten Thanksgiving Day parades. “Anything in excess of sustained winds of 23 mph or gusts to 34 mph would result in unsafe conditions” for these parades because of the large balloons.

“The possibility may still remain for some to wake up to a white Thanksgiving or see snowflakes fly in areas that typically don’t see snow during the late November holidays,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys said in a news release.

More details about the system will be available next week. Check back to Patch for updates.

Here is the current local weather forecast:

Friday: Rain likely before 11, then rain, possibly mixed with snow. High near 40. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90 percent. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly before Cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Monday night: Chance of rain after Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. A 30 percent chance of precipitation.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Wednesday evening: Chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. A 30 percent chance of precipitation.

Thanksgiving Day: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. A 50 percent chance of precipitation.