BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Despite the calendar reminding us it's mid-November, the latest forecast for the Lehigh Valley looks more like something from the winter season.
- The Lehigh Valley had its first taste of snow on Tuesday
- Arctic air will leave high temperatures in the 30s and low temperatures in the low 20s and teens over the weekend
- The wind chill will make it feel even colder, forecasters say
The area had its first taste of snow on Tuesday, and the National Weather Service says temperatures will run 10 to 15 degrees below normal through the weekend.
"It's going to feel more like January!" a tweet from the weather service said early Wednesday.
⛅️ It's nice when the nasty weather occurs at night, then the next day turns out nice isn't it? Today will be the most mild day through early next week with temperatures running 10-15° below normal through the weekend. It's going to feel like January! #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/yvi9o3YTK2
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) November 16, 2022
The arctic air is expected to stick around through the beginning of next week, but temperatures should moderate through Thanksgiving, forecasters say.
Despite the cold, no records expected
The average high temperatures for mid-November in the Lehigh Valley are in the low 50s.
A high of 38 degrees is forecast for both Saturday and Sunday. Low temperatures both nights should fall into the low 20s, and perhaps even into the teens.
Despite the cold, we won't be setting any records.
Allentown's record low temperature for Nov. 19 is 11 degrees, and the record low for Nov. 20 is 12 degrees.
"The lowest wind chills should occur Sunday night as winds remain elevated and temperatures fall well into the 20s. Expect widespread wind chills in the teens with single digits in the Poconos," the latest weather service forecast discussion said.
Talking Turkey
AAA expects nearly 55 million Americans will travel during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Here in the Lehigh Valley, early projections are for intervals of clouds and sun and highs in the mid to upper 40s by Thanksgiving Day. It should provide some peace of mind for folks hitting the road, with Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving identified as the busiest travel days of the year.
"Tuesday appears to be overtaking Wednesday as the busiest [travel day]," AAA said on its website.
While we're still a week out, long range forecasters predict the bigger trouble spots for weather could be in the western U.S. approaching Thanksgiving.
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center said heavy precipitation looks possible for the Pacific Northwest.
"However, the location of any significant precipitation amounts, as well as how high the precipitation amounts might be, are too uncertain to include an outlook area at this time," adetailed summary said.
