Forecasts predict Philadelphia will get more snow than last winter
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A woman and her dog sled behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2024. Photo: Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty
The meteorological wizards are bullish about how much snow Philadelphia will get come winter.
The big picture: La Niña conditions this year are setting the stage for a warmer-than-usual winter, while fall in Philly has seen historically low levels of rain.
- And yet, several meteorologists predict the city will see more snow in the coming months than last winter, with snowfall totals ranging up to 20 inches.
By the numbers: Check out the ranges:
- Accuweather predicts 15-20 inches of snow this winter;
- FOX29 forecasts 17 inches;
- NBC is thinking 18 inches;
- CBS ... 18-20 inches.
Context: Those predictions are still less than Philly's average snowfall of around 23 inches, but far above last winter's total of 11.2 inches.
- In the winter of 2022-23, a measly .3 inches of snow fell.
Threat level: The Philly metro has seen winter temps creep up an average of 5.7 degrees since 1970, per an analysis from the nonprofit Climate Central.
- The region is expected to see 63 days with above-average temperatures this winter.
The intrigue: A white Christmas? Don't count on it.
- FOX29 anticipates a 16% chance of snow that day.
Philly's best chance for snow may be after the holidays.
- The city's coldest month is January.
- And February had the highest average snowfall totals between 1991 and 2020, per CBS.
What they're saying: CBS meteorologist Grant Gilmore tells Axios that a handful of snow storms will hit the city, likely bringing near- or below-average snowfall totals.
- But expect them to bring enough snow to impact commutes and daily routines.
What's next: The Poconos will likely see snow this week.
- That region is forecast to get 1-3 inches on Thursday night, Joe DeSilva, an NWS meteorologist at Mount Holly, tells Axios.
Meanwhile, an approaching storm system could bring Philly much-needed rain through Friday, per NWS.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add CBS' snowfall prediction.