A “clipper system” moving through the region Tuesday had the potential to bring several inches of snow along with ice to the highest elevations of the Lehigh Valley, but ended up delivering little accumulation across most of the region.
A winter weather advisory had been issued for Lehigh and Northampton counties through 1 p.m. The advisory warned as much as 2 inches are possible in parts of Lehigh County and 3 inches in parts of Northampton County. However, those higher amounts were expected at elevations closer to 1,000 feet.
In reality, most areas saw less than an inch of accumulation, if any, as temperatures stayed above freezing over most of the Lehigh Valley. The highest amounts reported were 1.2 inches in Nazareth and 1 inch on South Mountain in Salisbury Township, according to National Weather Service data.
While the wintry precipitation has ended, there’s a chance of some rain in the late afternoon hour, according to the weather service forecast.
❄️🧊 Tuesday morning wintry precip update: Still no major changes to the forecast for today. Light snow from the Philly metro and north. Greatest totals and potential for a light glaze of ice north of I-78, where Winter Weather Advisories are in effect. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/Duxs95UKnr
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) December 23, 2025
“Most areas should eventually warm above freezing into the afternoon, which should help to start melting away our light snowfall accumulations and improve lousy road conditions for the holiday travelers,” according to the forecast discussion.
However, northern areas could see overnight lows dip to below freezing, creating the potential for icy conditions as melted snow refreezes on untreated roads, according to the weather service.
Overnight, winds will pick up to 15 mph across the Lehigh Valley, helping to dry wet surfaces, but gusts up to 40-50 mph are possible in the higher elevations of the Poconos and northwest New Jersey, according to the weather service.
Wednesday and Christmas are looking to be mild and precipitation-free, which is welcome news for holiday travelers, with higher temperatures in the low 40s.
However, forecasters are warning of the potential for another winter storm Friday, and this one could deliver more snow and ice if conditions are right.
“It is too soon and model spread remains too high to speculate on specifics, but the odds of impactful wintry precipitation are increasing,” the weather service’s forecast discussion notes.
Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service.
Tuesday: Rain and snow before 3 p.m., then a slight chance of rain between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. High near 38. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 34. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Calm wind.
Christmas Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Friday: Snow, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 31. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Snow and freezing rain. Low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday: A chance of rain or freezing rain before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
