Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A broad mid-February thaw is set to take hold across the Mid-Atlantic by Thursday morning, when temperatures rise above freezing across several states, triggering snowmelt, slushy roads, and changing travel conditions from New York south through Virginia.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a warm front pushing into the region late Wednesday night will lift daytime highs above 32 degrees across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The warmer pattern is expected to persist through much of the Feb. 13–19 period, with temperatures running above seasonal averages for several consecutive days.
Northern portions of the Mid-Atlantic, including upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania, and interior New Jersey, will see the most noticeable shift. Highs climbing into the mid to upper 30s will accelerate snowpack melt, leading to slushy conditions on secondary roads and rural routes, including stretches of I-80, I-81, and Route 15.
Farther south, including Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, the warming trend increases the likelihood of rain rather than snow. Periods of rain or a rain-snow mix could impact travel along major corridors such as I-95, I-70, I-76, and the New Jersey Turnpike, particularly during the morning and evening commute windows. Ponding water and slick spots are possible where drainage is limited.
The milder pattern is expected to hold into early next week. Additional advisories may be issued as precipitation timing becomes clearer and overnight refreeze risks develop across parts of the Mid-Atlantic.
