Snow to bypass Philly — twice

Snow is back on the minds of meteorologists, with more than a half-foot falling overnight in Colorado, and two systems threatening to bring some white stuff from Northern Pennsylvania into New England.

But it doesn't sound like even folks in Scranton or State College need have their shovels ready for Friday or Saturday. Rain is mentioned as part of the mix, and temperatures look to only flirt with freezing.

Perhaps higher elevations from the Poconos to the Catskills could see some white stuff stick temporarily, said meteorologist Lee Robertson of the National Weather Service.

Not that it matters yet to skiers. Shawnee Mountain plans to start making snow Nov. 15, according to its website. Big Boulder opens when temperatures get cold enough in early November, and Jack Frost not until early December.

Some flakes might even be seen Saturday in Berks or Lehigh Counties, but it's also possible the system, swinging up the coast, will veer away, and not even the Poconos will see any snow, Robertson said.

Philadelphia is expecting several days with rain, mostly light, starting this afternoon, and declining temperature ranges, dipping into the upper 30s Saturday night, for the first time since early April.

Sunday and Monday - Halloween - should be dry with highs in the mid 50s, lows in the low 40s.

For more on the forecast, go to http://go.philly.com/weather.

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.