Add snowflakes, sleet to wet Thanksgiving forecast?

Thanksgiving promises to bring a taste of winter to Philadelphia area, and possibly dangerous conditions in areas to the north, according to the National Weather Service.

The city and the suburbs could see rain with possible sleet - maybe even a little snow - starting around 10 a.m., followed by a change to all rain in early afternoon, according to Walter Drag, a meteorologist in Mount Holly.

"There's a chance we might see a few flakes mixed in at the beginning," he said. ". . . It's not a high probability."

Any sleet - "ice pellets" - should melt, though, since temperatures are likely to be near 40, before falling Thursday afternoon.

From Reading northward, however, the chances increase that sleet might stick on secondary, untreated roads, with freezing rain a possibility in the afternoon and early evening, especially in and past the Poconos.

Leaves on streets can add to the potential slipperiness, a PennDOT advisory reminded.

"If freezing precipitation occurs, PennDOT will treat interstates and other high-volume expressways first; secondary state routes are a lower priority," the statement said.

Travelers on New Jersey highways Thursday, including the length of the Turnpike, could also encounter rain with some melting sleet.

Conditions will be more favorable for those heading south. Sleet is mentioned in the Wilmington forecast, but not for Newark, Del.

Philadelphia's annual parade - with Santa, show-biz star Brandy, and all sorts of huge balloons, floats, choirs, marching bands and choirs - will begin at 8:15 a.m, rain or shine. Coverage on 6ABC, a sponsor, goes till noon. (For more, go to http://bit.ly/ibwg4i.)

"Bring an umbrella, and if everything goes well, it will be starting to precipitate as people are starting to leave," Drag said. Gustiness shouldn't be a problem for wind chills or balloons, he added.

High school football fields and spectators should prepare to be chilly and damp, since most games in Southeastern Pennsylvania begin at 10 or 10:30 a.m. (Schedule here: www.philly.com/philly/blogs/rally/se_pa_thanksgiving_day_football.html)

More rain is expected Thursday night and Friday morning, but Saturday and Sunday should bring clear skies and safer roads.

For the latest on the ever-changing forecast, go to: http://go.philly.com/weather.