Philly could see snow this week, but even without it, this won’t be the most snowless winter on record

After further review and a quasi-forensic investigation, the National Weather Service has determined that 0.1 inch of snow fell officially at Philadelphia International Airport last weekend, Ray Martin, a lead meteorologist in the Mount Holly office, said Saturday.

Initially it was reported as a “trace,” as in not enough to measure, and the contract observer had not measured it. But after an examination of visual and other evidence, the weather service determined that, indeed, the short-lived snowfall last Saturday did meet the 0.1 threshold.

That is of some significance because the winter of 2023-24 won’t have to endure the ignominy of finishing in a tie for the most snowless on record in Philly, no matter what doesn’t happen the rest of the way.

That distinction still belongs to 1972-73 exclusively. No more than a trace was measured during that entire winter.

With that 0.1 inch, this winter can breathe down the necks of 2019-20 and last winter, which both finished at 0.3 inch. The only other winter with an inch or less was in 1997-98, when 0.8 inch fell.

With the squall possibilities and two more snow chances during the week, this winter has a shot at vaulting past them — not that it would take much.

In a certifiable snow drought, 715 days have passed since the city has officially seen an inch of snow tallied at Philadelphia International Airport.

But as snow squalls gusted through the region Sunday, area meteorologists already had their eyes on Tuesday’s skies. And now, Philly’s inch-less streak could be on thin ice.

» READ MORE: Will Philly’s historic snow drought mark a second anniversary? It may get close.

Around 2 inches of snow — yes, snow — could blanket Philadelphia and its suburbs late Monday night into Tuesday, forecasters say.

“Hard to believe, I know,” said Alex Staarmann, a meteorologist with the Mount Holly office.

By Tuesday morning and into the afternoon, Staarmann said it’s possible the snow could morph into a light wintry mix, bringing possible sleet or freezing rain. But overall, as temperatures hover around freezing and teeter into the 20s, Philadelphia’s long-sought snowfall is likely to stick around.

“With as cold as it’s going to be, any snow that does fall and sticks, most of it will probably stick around for at least a couple of days,” Staarmann said.

The Poconos could see closer to 3 or 4 inches, he said, while areas closer to the Jersey Shore may see more of “a coating” mixed with rain, said AccuWeather meteorologist Ryan Adamson.

The snow is expected to be light in intensity, Adamson said, hopefully allowing road crews to keep streets fairly clear.

But, added Adamson, it doesn’t hurt to factor the flakes into your Tuesday commute.

“Certainly, it will stick to the roads,” he said. “Maybe leave some extra time on Tuesday morning.”