School closures and flexible instruction
The School District of Philadelphia will be closed on Monday because of the storm. Charged Chromebooks were sent home with students on Friday. The district will shift to virtual learning as needed during the remainder of the week.
Archdiocesan high school and parochial elementary schools will utilize “Flexible Instruction Days.” Students and parents should refer to their local school website for further details, per the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Dozens of schools across the Philadelphia region will similarly be closed Monday due to inclement weather.
How is travel impacted?
Pennsylvania
- PennDOT: Speed limit restrictions and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions have been lifted on Philly-area interstates and major highways, with the exception of U.S. 30 and U.S. 202 in Chester County, where speed limits are reduced to 45 mph.
- PA Turnpike: All restrictions put in place for the storm have been lifted.
New Jersey
Commercial vehicle restrictions have been lifted, but 35 mph speed limits remain in effect.
Delaware
Kent and New Castle counties have downgraded from level 2 driving restrictions to a level 1 driving warning. Drivers are urged to avoid traveling on roadways unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so. Those who must are told to drive with extreme caution.
Sussex County has lifted its level 1 driving warning.
Amtrak
Keystone Service has been restored.
Customers affected by earlier cancellations can rebook or request refunds without penalties on Amtrak.com, through the Amtrak mobile app or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
SEPTA
SEPTA expects significant service disruptions to continue Monday.
Regional Rail, bus, Access paratransit and trolley routes T and G will be gradually restored as conditions allow.
Once operational, Regional Rail will follow a Saturday schedule, and bus and metro will follow a Monday schedule.
The Market-Frankford (L), Broad Street (B), suburban trolleys (D) and the Norristown High Speed Line (M) remain operational, but customers should expect delays, trip cancellations and longer travel times.
The Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines remain the most reliable during extreme weather events, SEPTA says.
Riders are encouraged to visit SEPTA.org for the latest service information.
NJ Transit
NJ TRANSIT expects to gradually resume service Monday, starting with light rail lines.
Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and River LINE will operate on a weekday schedule to start, but riders should expect delays and possible cancellations.
A gradual ramp-up of bus and Access Link service is expected as conditions allow.
Crews are also working to resume commuter rail service.
Riders may monitor the latest NJ Transit service updates online.
PATCO
PATCO will operate on modified schedules through Monday. Trains will operate every 15-20 minutes for most of the day. Travel times will similarly be adjusted for slower operating speeds due to the weather and may take up to 10 minutes longer than usual.
Riders are encouraged to sign up for PATCO alerts for service updates.
PHL, EWR and ABE
More than 4,400 flight delays and cancellations have been recorded nationwide Monday, according to flight tracker flightaware.com.
Travelers should expect delays and possible cancellations at Philadelphia International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport.
Travelers are encouraged to check with their airline for further delays or cancellations that may impact flights.
City services impact, from trash collection and courts to ice-skating rinks
- Trash and recycling
- Collection is suspended Monday and collection for the remainder of the week will be pushed back a day.
- Second trash collection will be suspended for the week in neighborhoods that typically receive it.
- Residents may still drop off trash at one of the city’s sanitation convenience centers Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Courts: All cases scheduled for Monday will be rescheduled, with the exception of Orphans’ Court, which will proceed virtually.
- Jury duty: Those summoned for jury duty Monday are excused and do not need to report for duty.
- Prisons: In-person visits will be canceled at Philadelphia Department of Prisons facilities
- Critical services: Preliminary Arraignment Court, OJR bail acceptance and filings of emergency abuse protection petitions at the Stout Center for Criminal Justice are expected to remain operational.
- Administrative buildings: All city administrative office buildings are closed to the public, including nonessential residential services.
- Health centers: All Philadelphia Department of Public Health centers are closed. Patients with Monday appointments will be contacted to reschedule.
When will my street be plowed?
Residents can track Philadelphia’s snowplow operations online through PlowPHL.
Safety information
What renters, homeowners and business owners need to know about shoveling
Unless you live in an apartment building or multifamily dwelling, you are responsible for clearing the sidewalk of snow and ice outside your home. That includes both renters and homeowners.
Once snow has stopped falling, all sidewalks — including curb cuts — must be shoveled within six hours. Corner property owners are also responsible for clearing ramps as an extension of their sidewalk.
Pathways should be clear at least 3 feet, unless the pathway is smaller than that, in which case only 1 foot should be cleared. Snow or ice removed from sidewalks cannot be dumped into the street; instead, push toward your building.
The same rule applies to business owners, even if an establishment is temporarily closed due to the snow. Businesses that violate this code face a fine of $1,000 or more.
Residents may report a sidewalk that has not been cleared by calling 311 or submitting a report through the city’s 311 portal.
