The Lehigh Valley won’t get a white Christmas this year, but residents should not have to wait long to see more snow.
A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and ice to the region Friday into Saturday, making a mess of post-holiday travel plans. Between 4 and 6 inches of snow, with up to two tenths of an inch of ice, are possible in the Lehigh Valley, according to forecasters.
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, has issued a winter storm watch for the region from 1 p.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday.
Widespread wintry precipitation is expected to begin Friday afternoon into the evening. As of Wednesday, forecasters believe there is a 52% chance of 2 inches or more of snow and sleet, and a 31% chance of more than 4 inches.
The storm will impact the busy holiday travel weekend following Christmas, with the weather service urging people to consider delaying all travel.
“Folks with travel plans from Friday afternoon through Friday night should expect impacts to their plans, as road conditions will likely deteriorate during this time with snowy and/or icy roads,” forecasters wrote Wednesday in their daily forecast discussion.
The weather service said anyone who must drive should consider taking a winter storm kit with items such as flashlights, shovels, blankets, extra clothing “and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.”
Anticipating hazardous road conditions, PennDOT on Wednesday was working to get ahead of the storm. It issued restrictions on some tractor-trailers and other vehicles on highways across eastern Pennsylvania on Friday into Saturday. Its crews were also working to treat roads ahead of the storm to help prevent ice buildup once the wintry precipitation begins.
Forecasters with the weather service said they are “100% confident” that there will be wintry precipitation, but they are not clear on what the exact amounts will be, and what the precipitation might look like. Uncertainty on exact totals remains, they said.
The highest snow totals from the storm could occur in the eastern part of Northampton County, according to the weather service’s snowfall projection map. Up to 8 inches of snow is possible further east in New Jersey, and to the north in the Poconos.
Neighboring Berks and Bucks counties are also expected to get snow, but totals there should be lower, according to forecasters.
❄️🧊 Travel disruptions are likely starting Friday afternoon into early Saturday as a winter storm impacts the region. Exact forecast totals remain very uncertain, but confidence in widespread wintry precip is near 100% for the outlined areas. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/Jfpdd71hKa
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) December 24, 2025
The wintry precipitation should wrap up by midday Saturday, according to the weather service.
More precipitation is expected Sunday and Monday, but it will fall as rain as warmer temperatures move in.
So far, about 6 inches of snow has fallen this month in the Lehigh Valley. The most recent winter storm Tuesday brought less than an inch of snow to most of the region.
Despite recent snowfall, both Lehigh and Northampton counties are under drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Rainfall has been about 8 inches below normal the past six months, weather service data states.
Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:
Christmas Day: Cloudy through mid morning, then becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Snow likely after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 30. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday Night: Snow and freezing rain. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of snow and freezing rain before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 28.
Sunday: Rain, mainly after 1pm. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 29.
