Philadelphia region digs out as high, frigid winds settle in [photos]

Highways across Pennsylvania were largely clear as the first winter storm of 2014 scattered a few inches across much of the state and ushered in frigid temperatures and strong, bone-chilling winds.

 

In Philadelphia, the Inquirer reports that Interstate 95 southbound is closed at Broad Street due to a jackknifed tractor trailer. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service is warning that gusts of up to 30 miles per hour could bring wind chills to minus 25 degrees.

All School District of Philadelphia schools are closed as are early childhood and after school programs. Most other school districts in the region have asked children to attend school two hours late.

Gov. Tom Corbett told state employees to report two hours late. Meanwhile, maintenance workers and plow drivers were working overtime.

Some pre-dawn temperatures were in the single digits, and many secondary roads were plowed but icy.

New Jersey

In New Jersey roads are slow-going as schools and government offices are closed during the storm that has brought many areas more than a half-foot of snow along with frigid temperatures.

By 6 a.m. Friday, snow totaled 10 inches in Lakewood and more than eight in Bordentown, Woodbine and other areas. Those totals were at the high end of what forecasters expected, and in some cases higher.

And it was still falling.

Temperatures were below 20 degrees with wind-chills below zero in some places.

Anticipating the arrival of a storm that had already walloped the Midwest, Gov. Chris Christie ordered nonessential state workers to stay home for the day.

Many communities also closed schools for the day.

New Jersey mass transit is running during the snow storm, but it’s moving slowly.

New Jersey Transit spokesman John Durso says that buses and trains are all operational.

The rail system is running on an enhanced weekend schedule. Both buses and light rail are using a regular weekday schedule.

But all three modes are facing delays because of the weather.

The transit agency is cross-honoring tickets between transportation modes.

Delaware

Delaware state and county government offices and public schools are closed after the storm dumped three to seven inches of snow around the state.

The National Weather Service posted gale warnings in effect along the coast and parts of the Delaware Bay through Friday evening. Winter storm warnings remain in effect statewide. Sussex County received about three inches of snow and four to seven inches fell around the rest of the state.

Transportation officials warn that roads are not clear and they’re are asking people to stay home if they don’t have to go out. DelDOT officials say crews have been clearing major roads overnight, but winds and drifting snow will mean plows must return to previously cleared major roads, delaying work on secondary roads.