Philadelphia snow updates: Sleet takes center stage; latest snowfall totals

A major storm is moving through the Philadelphia region, along with a sizeable portion of the U.S.

Nearly 180 million people — or more than half of the country’s population — are being impacted by widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain, per the National Weather Service.

What’s the latest forecast?

Snow, sleet and freezing rain are bringing major disruptions to the region, according to the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office.

Heavy snow and sleet, followed by freezing rain and 20- to 30-mph wind gusts, could result in downed trees and power outages.

Weather conditions will make travel dangerous or impossible, per NWS.

Storm timing

The snow is over for most of the Philadelphia region.

Snow began shifting to sleet and freezing rain across Delmarva, South Jersey and into the I-95 corridor Sunday afternoon.

Ice accumulations may range from 0.1” to 0.25” across the I-95 corridor, South Jersey and central and northern Delaware. Some isolated power outages are possible.

Forecasters with WHYY News partner 6abc show more mixing farther north.

6abc’s latest map shows Philadelphia may see 8-10 inches of snowfall.

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 through next weekend.

Snowfall totals

Philadelphia saw its highest snowfall in five years on Sunday before the storm shifted to sleet and freezing rain.

Here’s how much fell by location, per WHYY News partner 6abc:

• Philadelphia
  • Philadelphia International Airport | 7.4 inches – 1 p.m.
  • Ben Franklin Bridge | 6.6 inches – 1 p.m.
  • Rittenhouse Square | 5 inches – 11:45 a.m.

• Pennsylvania
  • Berks County
    • Mertztown | 9.9 inches – 1:35 p.m.
    • Reading Regional Airport | 8.4 inches – 1 p.m.
    • Reading | 7 inches – 12:39 p.m.
    • Huffs Church | 8 inches – 11 a.m.
  • Bucks County
    • Hilltown Twp. | 6.5 inches – 1 p.m.
    • Levittown | 7.1 inches – 1:53 p.m.
    • Furlong | 7.3 inches – 12:30 p.m.
    • Chalfont | 7.1 inches  – 12:30 p.m.
    • Northampton Twp. | 6.6  inches – 12 p.m.
  • Chester County
    • East Coventry Twp. |  8 inches – 12:10 p.m.
    • East Whiteland Twp. | 6 inches  – 11:17 a.m.
    • South Pottstown | 7 inches – 11:15 a.m.
  • Delaware County
    • Garnet Valley | 7 inches  – 12:30 p.m.
  • Lehigh County
    • New Tripoli | 10.5 inches  – 2 p.m.
    • Center Valley | 9.5 inches  – 12:45 p.m.
    • Salisbury Twp. | 9.4 inches  – 1:30 p.m.
    • Coopersburg | – 8.1 inches  – 11:45 a.m.
  • Montgomery County
    • Pottstown | 9.5 inches  – 1 p.m.
    • Lower Pottsgrove Twp. | 8.5 inches  – 1 p.m.
    • Norristown | 8.7 inches – 12:30 p.m.
    • Trappe | 8 inches – 12:30 p.m.
    • New Hanover Twp. | 8.3 inches – 12:20 p.m.
    • Glenside | 7 inches – 12:15 p.m.
    • Ambler | 7 inches – 12 p.m.
    • King of Prussia | 6.9 inches – 12 p.m.
    • Upper Providence Twp. | 6.5 inches – 12:09 p.m.
    • Salford Twp. | 7 inches – 12 p.m.
    • Eagleville | 6.2 inches – 11:15 a.m.

• New Jersey
  • Atlantic County
    • Atlantic City International Airport | 5.9 inches – 1 p.m.
    • Hammonton | 6 inches – 11:15 a.m.
• Burlington County
  • Leisuretowne | 4.7 inches  – 1:25 p.m.
  • Rancocas | 6.3 inches – 12:45 p.m.
  • Mount Holly WFO | 6.6 inches – 1 p.m.
  • South Jersey Regional | 6.6 inches – 11:40 a.m.
  • Tabernacle | 6.5 inches  – 11:30 a.m.
  • Medford Twp. | 5.6 inches – 11:53 a.m.
  • Cinnaminson | 5.6 inches – 11:45 a.m.
• Camden County
  • Mt. Ephraim | 7 inches – 11:40 a.m.
  • Lindenwold | 5.8 inches – 11:15 a.m.
• Cape May County
  • Ocean City | 6 inches – 11:30 a.m.
• Gloucester County
  • Malaga | 7 inches – 1 p.m.
  • Pitman | 7 inches – 11:25 a.m.
• Mercer County
  • Trenton Mercer Airport | 7.2 inches – 1 p.m.
  • Hamilton Twp. | 5.3 inches – 12:15 p.m.
• Ocean County
  • Bayville| 8 inches – 1:30 p.m.
  • Forked River | 6 inches – 12:40 p.m.
  • Toms River |4.5 inches – 11:15 a.m.

• Delaware
  • Kent County
    • Dover Air Force Base | 6.5 inches – 11:55 a.m.
  • New Castle County
    • New Castle County Airport | 5.5 inches – 1 p.m.
    • Hockessin | 6.8 inches – 12:30 p.m.
    • Odessa | 6.5 inches – 12:30 p.m.
    • Wilmington | 6.5 inches  – 11:20 a.m.

Weather alerts, watches and advisories

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through 1 p.m. Monday, with heavy and mixed precipitation expected, along with ice accumulations around three-tenths of an inch.

• Pennsylvania: Lower Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia
• New Jersey: Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Salem, Somerset

Enhanced Code Blue in Philly: Protections for people experiencing homelessness

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 10 warming centers listed below are open during the current Code Blue, including some that will be open 24 hours a day until the emergency ends.

Emergency orders

Emergency orders

Here’s a look at the emergency orders in place throughout the Delaware Valley:

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?

The National Weather Service says to expect widespread road closures and significant delays on major interstates. Vehicle restrictions are in place across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

In Delaware, Level 2 driving restrictions are in effect for New Castle and Kent counties, per Gov. Matt Meyer.

Under such restrictions, only essential workers, including snowplow operators, may drive on Delaware roadways.

PennDOT, PA Turnpike

PennDOT has reduced speed limits to 45 mph on the following highways:

• Interstates 76, 95, 295, 476, 676
• U.S. Routes 1, 30, 202, 422
• State Routes 63, 100 Spur and 309

Tier 4 vehicle restrictions are in place for all Pennsylvania interstates, the PA Turnpike and its extensions, along with several other major roadways.

When such restrictions are in place, no commercial vehicles, school buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes or passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are permitted on affected roadways.

SEPTA

SEPTA has suspended all Regional Rail, bus and Metro Route G1 service.

T1 service is suspended, and the remaining T lines have reduced service. Subway routes L, B, D and M will continue to run.

SEPTA advised riders to check alerts at SEPTA.org or the SEPTA app before heading out. Riders are told to expect delays.

NJ Transit

Bus, light rail and Access Link services are temporarily suspended on NJ Transit.

Rail service is currently suspended. Service will resume as conditions allow. Riders may monitor the latest NJ Transit service updates online.

PATCO

PATCO will operate on modified schedules through Monday.

Trains will operate with the same frequency on Sunday, with service every 30 minutes, but travel times will be adjusted for slower operating speeds due to the weather and may take up to 30 minutes longer than usual.

On 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.

“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.

PHL

Across the U.S., more than 13,500 flights have been canceled since Saturday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. That puts Sunday on track to become the highest cancellation event since the pandemic, with over 29% of U.S. departing flights canceled, per aviation analytics company Cirium.

Most airlines have canceled Sunday flights from Philadelphia International Airport, PHL posted on social media. PHL has already canceled at least 80 flights scheduled for Monday. Passengers should confirm flight status directly with their airline.

ABE

Lehigh Valley International Airport is currently closed, with all Sunday flights canceled. Travelers are encouraged to check with their airline for further delays or cancellations that may impact flights scheduled for Monday.

City services impact, from trash collection and courts to ice-skating rinks

Safety information

• Get or give help: Here are extreme cold resources across the Delaware Valley, and here’s how you can help your unhoused neighbors amid frigid temps.
• Be prepared: Take these steps to protect yourself and your pets; and here’s how to keep your pipes from freezing in cold weather.
• Winter driving: If you must drive, here’s how to best prepare, and what to keep in your car.
• Avoiding injury: Here are some do’s and don’ts to avoid injury in a snowstorm, according to Philly-area doctors.
• Emergency contacts: If you live in Philadelphia, here’s who to call for which emergencies, from downed trees to power lines.
• Pet safety: If residents see a dog outside during the extreme cold — aside from bathroom breaks and short walks — they are urged to contact ACCT Philly’s hotline by calling (267-385-3800m ext. 1.

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.