A blizzard that will sweep across the Midwest this weekend looks to skirt the Philadelphia region, but that doesn't mean the city will escape wintry weather.
In fact, forecasters are saying much is up in the air about the second of a winter-storm doubleheader expected to roll through the area from Thursday night to Sunday.
MORE WEATHER: The latest forecast on the weekend ahead
The first storm, the weaker of the two, brings the potential for snow and rain showers from Thursday night into Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Several inches of snow are expected to accumulate in central and western Pennsylvania.
The stronger energy arrives here over the weekend, but there is low confidence about the timing and track of northern and southern weather systems, and the type of precipitation that we'll see out of the storm, forecasters say.
Right now, some models suggest Philly and the suburbs will see a wintry mix. But who knows at this point.
The weather service's 4 p.m. Monday forecast discussion notes:
"The potential for heavy rain, snow and/or mixed precipitation exists with this system, especially if the forward motion slows."
Forecasters will be keeping a close eye on these two storms as the week progresses.
Here is the 7-day forecast from the weather service:
Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.
Thursday Night: Rain and snow likely before 11 p.m., then snow likely through 2 a.m., and rain and snow likely after. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Friday: Rain and snow showers likely before 8 a.m., then a chance of rain showers between 8 and 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Saturday: A chance of rain after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Saturday night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
Sunday: Rain and snow likely, possibly mixed with sleet. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
Sunday night: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
MLK Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 26.