Weather

Code Blue Issued As Winter Storms Approach


A snow-covered barn on Penns Park Road in Wrightstown in January 2018. Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com

Bucks County issued a Code Blue as two winter weather systems are set to strike Lower Bucks County.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service said Thursday evening that a fast-moving overnight storm will last into Friday morning and bring between a dusting to two inches of snow to the area.

“The bulk of the snow should fall before the peak commute hours,” forecasters said.

The end-of-the-workweek storm is minor compared to the one expected to hit Saturday through Sunday.

The early forecast calls for snow, mixed precipitation, and heavy rain. According to forecasters, the “significant storm system” will start with snow later on Saturday before changing to heavy rain with chances of freezing rain and sleet during the transition.

A National Weather Service snowfall prediction map shows Lower Bucks County receiving 3 to 5 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday evening.

“The rain could be heavy enough to lead to urban and small stream flooding issues Saturday night into early Sunday with river flooding possible by late day Sunday,” forecasters said.

Of concern is forecasted rapidly falling temperatures that will bring arctic air into the region and quickly freeze any wet and slushy surfaces, causing icy conditions Sunday into Monday.

The Bucks County Commissioners and the county Departments of Health and Emergency Management issued the Code Blue from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

During the Code Blue, the Woodside Church overnight shelter at 1667 Edgewood Road in Lower Makefield will be open to take in homeless residents.

County officials warned resident to monitor their pets and neighbors who are elderly or have special needs.

Bucks County issued a Code Blue as two winter weather systems are set to strike Lower Bucks County.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service said Thursday evening that a fast-moving overnight storm will last into Friday morning and bring between a dusting to two inches of snow to the area.

“The bulk of the snow should fall before the peak commute hours,” forecasters said.

The end-of-the-workweek storm is minor compared to the one expected to hit Saturday through Sunday. The early forecast calls for snow, mixed precipitation, and heavy rain.

According to forecasters, the “significant storm system” will start with snow later on Saturday before changing to heavy rain with chances of freezing rain and sleet during the transition.

A National Weather Service snowfall prediction map shows Lower Bucks County receiving 3 to 5 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday evening.

“The rain could be heavy enough to lead to urban and small stream flooding issues Saturday night into early Sunday with river flooding possible by late day Sunday,” forecasters said.

Of concern is forecasted rapidly falling temperatures that will bring arctic air into the region and quickly freeze any wet and slushy surfaces, causing icy conditions Sunday into Monday.

The Bucks County Commissioners and the county Departments of Health and Emergency Management issued the Code Blue from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

During the Code Blue, the Woodside Church overnight shelter at 1667 Edgewood Road in Lower Makefield will be open to accomcade homeless residents.

County officials warned resident to monitor their pets and neighbors who are elderly or have special needs.


About the author

Tom Sofield

Tom Sofield has covered news in Bucks County for 12 years for both newspaper and online publications. Tom’s reporting has appeared locally, nationally, and internationally across several mediums. He is proud to report on news in the county where he lives and to have created a reliable publication that the community deserves.