The Philly area is bracing for a winter storm with up to 18 inches of snow possible. Here’s what to know

The Philadelphia region is bracing for a winter storm this weekend with the possibility of up to 18 inches of snow in some areas.

Forecasters are calling the system a “potentially catastrophic event from Texas to the Carolinas” with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain expected to begin as early as Friday, according to the Associated Press. Nearly 230 million people will face temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, and around 150 million are likely to be hit by snow and ice.

What’s the latest forecast?

A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect for the following counties from Saturday evening through Monday afternoon, with heavy snow expected and significant snow accumulations likely. Precipitation may mix with sleet and freezing rain on Sunday.

• Pennsylvania: Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia
• New Jersey: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland
• Delaware: Kent, New Castle, Sussex

How much snow will the Philly region get?

According to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, forecasts currently call for 8 to 18 inches of snowfall throughout the Philadelphia area.

Southern New Jersey and lower Delaware are predicted to get at least 8 inches. A minimum of 12 inches is expected to stretch from Dover, Delaware, through Philadelphia and slightly past Trenton, New Jersey. Mixing precipitation of sleet and snow could reduce snowfall amounts near and southeast of I-95, according to a briefing from NWS.

On Sunday, slight ice buildups are predicted throughout the region between a hundredth and a tenth of an inch.

“What you should do now: Prepare for snow over the weekend & prolonged cold next week,” NWS Mount Holly said in a social media post. “Travel impacts are likely; consider adjusting weekend plans accordingly.”

The last snowstorm Philadelphia experienced over a foot or more of snow occurred between Jan. 22–23, 2016. On Jan. 23, 19.6 inches of snow fell. Philadelphia has experienced nine snowstorms with a foot or more of snowfall in January since 1884, according to the NWS.

Cold weather advisory in effect Friday through Saturday

Temperatures warmed up briefly on Thursday before an Arctic cold front pushed in. By Friday night, temperatures for Philadelphia are expected to drop to 9 degrees with a wind chill of -3.

“Dangerously cold wind chills between -10° and 0° will lead to an increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite,” according to a NWS briefing. “A prolonged period of well below normal temperatures is expected to continue through next week, with wind chills in the single digits to below zero at night each night.”

How are local officials preparing?

As city and state officials monitor the forecast and prepare to salt 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.

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, or when there is precipitation and the temperature is 32 degrees 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 14 warming centers below are open amid the current Code Blue.

People experiencing homelessness may also visit a city-funded homeless intake center for help.

If residents see a person who appears to be unhoused during a Code Blue, they are urged to contact the city’s Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984. Residents concerned about an older adult during extremely cold weather are urged to contact the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging at 215-765-9040.

WHYY News’ Maria Pulcinella contributed reporting.