The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for an area including Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh and Northampton Counties. The watch will be in effect Tuesday evening through late Wednesday night.

NWS is calling for up to 10-14 inches of snow with the heaviest amounts in the higher elevations.

According to the winter storm watch alert, travel will probably be very difficult to impossible, including during the evening commute on Wednesday. Significant reductions in visibility are likely. Snow will probably accumulate at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour for several hours, especially during Wednesday afternoon and evening. Power outages may develop from newly broken tree limbs or from uprooted trees in the softened ground, especially where 6 inches or more accumulates on the branches. This could become a dangerous situation and contingency plans should be developed for altering activities as a high impact major snowstorm is expected Wednesday. If and when warnings are issued, those contingency plans can be implemented. We recommend following the advice of local officials and this may be a good day to just stay home, to ensure safety.

NWS said:

Unfortunately, a major nor`easter will be intensifying rapidly Wednesday afternoon along the New Jersey coast. It is expected to produce heavy wet snow for eastern Pennsylvania and portions New Jersey Wednesday. Highest amounts should be in the hilly areas.

While this storm is still in watch phase, we recommend everyone with activities in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey to have contingency plans for altering travel and how to handle possible power related impacts. These plans can then be applied once warnings are issued, which will express more confidence in this oncoming probable very high impact event. Wednesday may be a good day to just stay home and be safe.

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.