PENNSYLVANIA - Tuesday, December 23, 2025 — As millions of Pennsylvanians begin the holiday trek to visit family, a fast-moving "Alberta Clipper" system is currently sweeping across the Commonwealth, triggering Weather Impact Alerts and complicating the year's busiest travel window.
PENNSYLVANIA - Tuesday, December 23, 2025 — As millions of Pennsylvanians begin the holiday trek to visit family, a fast-moving "Alberta Clipper" system is currently sweeping across the Commonwealth, triggering Weather Impact Alerts and complicating the year's busiest travel window.While the storm is not a "blockbuster" in terms of total accumulation, its timing—landing squarely on the peak Tuesday morning commute—is creating slick conditions on major arteries like the PA Turnpike (I-76), I-80, and I-476.
The Morning Commute: Where the Snow is Hitting
The system moved into Western Pennsylvania overnight and reached the Greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions during the pre-dawn hours.
- Lehigh Valley & Poconos: A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for Lehigh and Northampton counties until 1:00 PM and for Carbon and Monroe counties until 4:00 PM. These areas are seeing the highest accumulations, with 1 to 4 inches of snow expected.
- Philadelphia & I-95 Corridor: Closer to the city, the system began as a brief burst of wet snow or a wintry mix. As temperatures climb toward a high of 42°F, a transition to cold rain is occurring, with little to no accumulation expected south of the city.
- The "Icing" Factor: Forecasters are warning of a light glaze of ice, particularly for areas north of I-78 and in the Northern Tier (McKean and Potter counties). Untreated roads and bridges will remain hazardous through the early afternoon.
Travel Outlook: PA Turnpike and PHL Airport
The Pennsylvania Turnpike projects that today will be the second-busiest travel day of the holiday season, with roughly 650,000 vehicles on the system.
- Road Conditions: All roadway construction and maintenance work has been suspended to keep lanes open, but officials are urging extreme caution. The Pennsylvania Move Over Law is in strict effect; drivers must move over or slow down for emergency responders.
- Air Travel: At Philadelphia International (PHL), a significant uptick in passenger traffic is already underway. While many flights remain on time, over 60 delays have been reported this morning due to regional weather and heavy holiday volume. Travelers are advised to arrive early and check flight statuses frequently.
The Afternoon Reset: A Quick Thaw
The good news for travelers is that the "Clipper" is living up to its name—it is fast-moving.
- By 1:00 PM: Steady precipitation will begin tapering off into a drizzle for the southern half of the state.
- Temperatures: Highs will reach the low 40s in the Philadelphia area, allowing for some melting of morning slush before sunset.
Looking Ahead: A Quiet Christmas Eve
If you can delay your travel until tomorrow, you will be rewarded. Wednesday, December 24, is trending to be a quiet and seasonable travel day with mostly sunny skies.
Keep an eye on Friday, December 26, however. A separate, stronger system is already on the radar and could bring a more impactful wintry mix of sleet and snow just as the "return trip" rush begins.
