Philly students will learn virtually Thursday as freezing rain and snow are possible
Back-to-back winter storms to impact millions from Midwest to Northeast.

A city plow truck patrols Philadelphia roads during a winter storm Jan. 6, 2025. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
This story originally appeared on 6abc.
With winter weather expected to impact Thursday morning’s commute, several area schools have called delays or virtual learning days.
The School District of Philadelphia announced students will learn virtually. A list of other how other area schools are adjusting for the weather can be found here.
At least 22 states from Oklahoma to Vermont are under ice and snow alerts. An ice storm warning has been issued for the Appalachian Mountains from West Virginia to Pennsylvania, where significant ice accumulation is possible.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Philadelphia region and will go into effect at 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
The storm is expected to bring a wintry mix overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning.
Action News meteorologists say it will start as a brief snow shower before changing to rain and ice, making for a messy morning commute on Thursday.
The greatest impacts are expected northwest of I-95.
Luckily, it won’t last long, with the rain expected to end by midday Thursday.
However, another storm with ice and snow is possible for the Midwest and the Northeast this weekend.
The Action Cam spotted DelDOT crews putting brine down on the roads in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday night. PennDOT and PA Turnpike crews will also actively pre-treat roadways.However, officials say salt does not resolve all risks, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form.
Last winter in Pennsylvania, state officials say preliminary data shows that there were 151 crashes resulting in three fatalities and 55 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive-driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors.
Vehicle Restrictions
Restrictions are planned for certain vehicles during the storm along some Pennsylvania roadways.
Tier 2: In effect at 7 p.m. on Wednesday:
PA Turnpike I-70/76 from the New Stanton exit to the Carlisle exit
Tier 4: In effect at 7 p.m. on Wednesday:
I-70 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the Maryland border
I-79 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the end of I-79 North
I-81 from the Maryland border to I-80
I-83, entire length
I-99, entire length
I-283, entire length
I-376 from Toll 376 to I-80
Route 22 from Route 119 to I-99
Route 22/322 from I-81 to I-99
Tier 4 expanded: In effect at 10 p.m. on Wednesday:
I-80 from mile marker 4 to I-81
I-180, entire length
Tier 2 expanded: In effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday:
PA Turnpike Northeast Extension I-476 from the Lehigh Valley exit to the Clarks Summit exit
Tier 4 expanded: In effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday:
I-78, entire length
I-80 from I-81 to the New Jersey border
I-81 from I-80 to the New York border
I-84, full length
I-380, full length
Route 33, full length
Restrictions will be lifted as quickly as possible when conditions are safe. Restrictions can be changed based on conditions on the roadways.
For a breakdown of what each vehicle restriction tier means, visit pa.gov.
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