A major winter storm system is expected to impact the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre region this upcoming weekend.
Weekend Forecast Summary
The storm is predicted to arrive in two phases, with the most significant impacts occurring on Sunday.
Saturday, January 24: Conditions will be cloudy during the day with a high of 9°F. Snow is expected to begin Saturday night (45% chance) as temperatures drop to a low of 3°F with north winds at 9 mph.
Sunday, January 25: A possible heavy snow storm is forecast for the daytime, with a 75% chance of precipitation and a high of 17°F. Snow showers will continue into the night with a low of 6°F and east winds increasing to 15 mph.
Comparison of Forecasting Models
Meteorological reports indicate that while confidence in the storm's development is high, the precise track and accumulation totals are still being refined by major models:
GFS (American Model): Suggests the potential for a long-duration event as Arctic air meets moisture from the Gulf, bringing a mix of wintry precipitation to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
European Model (ECMWF): Generally considered consistent in this pattern, it highlights the inland track that puts Northeast Pennsylvania in a high-risk zone (60–80% probability) for significant snowfall.
National Weather Service: Current outlooks for the broader Eastern PA region suggest a "moderate" to "high" impact, with potential accumulations of 5 inches or more and hazardous travel conditions including possible whiteouts.