Philadelphia snow forecast: Winter storm warnings issued ahead of significant snowfall Monday
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia's highly-anticipated first measurable snowfall this winter is inching closer and closer, with the first flakes expected overnight.
FOX 29's Weather Authority is tracking the winter storm as it approaches. Here's everything you need to know:
Snowfall timeline
- The first snow is set to fall around 2 a.m. Monday
- Light, fluffy snow for the morning commute and late breakfast
- Heaviest snow by late morning and lunchtime
- Most snow ends by dinnertime
- The last push of flurries and light snow sweeps in from 10 p.m. to midnight
Snowfall predictions
- Philadelphia: 2 to 4 inches
- North of Philadelphia: Coating to 2 inches
- South Jersey and Delaware: 4 to 6 inches, with some areas possibly seeing 6 to 10 inches
FOX 29's Drew Anderson says that although models show a lot of spread for snowfall amounts, what is for certain is that South Jersey and Delaware will get the most snow from this storm, while the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos, upper Bucks, Montgomery, Mercer and Monmouth counties are expected to get the least snow.
Winter Weather Warning
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Weather Warnings for several counties beginning Sunday night.
Sussex County, Delaware Beaches County and Kent County are under a Winter Weather Warning from 10 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Tuesday.
A warning has been issued for Eastern Chester County, Delaware County, Coastal Atlantic County, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Gloucester County, Camden County, Southeastern Burlington County, Cumberland County, Atlantic Coastal Cape May County, Salem County and New Castle County from 1 a.m Monday to 1 a.m Tuesday.
Other parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania are under a Winter Weather Advisory on Monday from 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. Those counties include: Berks County, Eastern Montgomery County, Lower Bucks County, Philadelphia County, Western Chester County, Western Montgomery County, Ocean County, Northwestern Burlington County and Coastal Ocean County.
School closings/ delays
Click here to stay up to date on which schools have announced delayed start times, or closings.
Snow Preparations
Though folks usually think of jumper cables and first aid kits as vehicle emergency kits, AAA officials are encouraging folks to load up on other items to keep in your car.
"Make sure you have a portable collapsible snow shovel in case you need to dig out from somewhere," said Jana Tidwell, AAA Public Affairs. "That snow brush and ice scraper to clean off your car thoroughly before you start driving, plenty of washer fluid and deicer spray that salt and brine builds up quickly on our windshield, we a lot of that in the winter driving season rock salt, and kitty litter in case you need some additional traction under your tires."
Even though you might not end up using all these items for this storm, AAA says it’s important to always be prepared.
PennDOT is asking people to stay off the roads Monday if you can.
PennDOT had crews out treating, salting and brining the roads Sunday. PennDOT officials say crews will report back Monday starting at midnight and will be working through the storm.
Their high priorities are the interstates and expressways.