As city and state officials monitor the forecast and pre-treat roadways, emergency management officials from Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware are encouraging residents to stock up on basic supplies and avoid nonessential driving when possible during the storm.
For those who must, here’s how to best prepare for winter driving, and what to keep in your car.
Philly public schools will be closed Monday
City public schools will be closed on Monday due to inclement weather. Charged Chromebooks will be sent home with students on Friday. After Monday, if needed, the School District of Philadelphia will shift to virtual learning.
Philly archdiocesan schools will utilize ‘flexible instruction’ on Monday
Archdiocesan high school and parochial elementary school buildings will be closed on Monday; those schools will utilize “Flexible Instruction Days,” the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Friday.
Students and parents should refer to their local school website for further details.
What’s the latest forecast?
Philadelphia may see its first double-digit snowfall in more than 10 years.
The region could get between 8 to 18 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly branch.
Precipitation will likely mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain across much of the I-95 corridor southward into much of Delaware.
Higher snowfall is anticipated farther north. Cities including Philly, Trenton and Wilmington may see snowfall closer to 12 inches due to more of a wintry mix. Areas near Cape May and Bethany Beach are expected to see between 8 and 12 inches.
A National Weather Service forecast map shows the Philadelphia region is anticipating heavy snowfall this weekend. (NWS)
Forecasters with WHYY News partner 6abc show more conservative estimates, with Philadelphia expected to see between 8 to 10 inches of snow on Sunday.
Heavy snow and ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible, the NWS reports. Some power outages are possible with ice accumulations potentially over 0.1” (mainly for the I-95 corridor and Delmarva).
After the storm passes, a prolonged period of “well below normal” temperatures is expected to stick around next week, with wind chills in the single digits to below zero each night.
A forecast map from 6abc shows more conservative snowfall totals for the weekend. (6abc)
Weather alerts, watches and advisories
A Cold Weather Advisory will be in effect from midnight Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday for the counties below, with “very cold wind chills” as low as 8 below expected, per the National Weather Service.
- Pennsylvania: Delaware, Philadelphia
- New Jersey: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Cumberland, Ocean, Salem
- Delaware: Kent, New Castle, Sussex
A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect for the following counties from 7 p.m. Saturday through 1 p.m. Monday, with heavy snow expected and significant snow accumulations likely. Precipitation may mix with sleet and freezing rain on Sunday.
- Pennsylvania: Chester, Delaware, eastern Montgomery, Philadelphia
- New Jersey: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem
- Delaware: Kent, New Castle, Sussex
Trash collection impacted in Philly
Trash collection will be suspended Monday, city officials said Friday. Collection for the remainder of the week will be pushed back a day.
When is the last time Philly saw this much snow?
Just over 10 years ago. Philadelphia saw 19.6 inches of snowfall on Jan. 23, 2016.
How will transit be impacted?
The National Weather Service says to expect widespread road closures and significant delays on major interstates.
SEPTA advised riders to check alerts at SEPTA.org or the SEPTA app before heading out.
PATCO trains may operate on a special schedule during the storm to “accommodate slower operating speeds if conditions require,” the transit line posted on social media.
“Teams will be working around the clock at stations to clear walkways, platforms, and parking areas for riders,” the transit line said.
Riders are encouraged to sign up for PATCO alerts for service updates.
Major airlines are similarly expecting air travel disruptions due to the storm. Travel advisories are in effect under Delta and American, with rebooking fees waived.
Philadelphia International Airport cautioned customers to check with their airline directly for flight status updates.
Enhanced Code Blue in Philly
An Enhanced Code Blue is in effect in Philadelphia until further notice.
During extreme cold — when temperatures feel near or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or when there is precipitation and the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower — Philadelphia officials will declare a Code Blue.
During a Code Blue event, the city implements special measures to keep people who are experiencing homelessness safe. Those measures include 24-hour outreach to find unhoused people and transport them to safe indoor spaces and opening all available beds within the city’s emergency housing network for those in need.
The 15 warming centers below are open amid the current Code Blue.
