And with the snowfall in the city of Philadelphia Thursday, a 130-year-old record was shattered. For the first time in the city's history, there have been four 6+ inch snowfalls or more in season. In addition, we are now in the top 5 snowiest winters of all-time.
The storm has a history of producing historic snowfall and ice accumulations across the Southern United States and now it is blasting our region with blinding snow, heavy sleet, flooding rain and wicked winds.
This storm also adds insult to injury as hundreds of thousands of people just got their power back after last week's crippling ice storm.
Warmer air is trying to push in on the east side of the storm changing snow over to sleet and heavy rain from South to North. The band of heavy sleet has already reached Philadelphia and visibility is under one mile in many locations around the city.
Snowfall rates over 2″ per hour are occurring north of the city, making travel downright dangerous. If you must travel, be sure to have a charged cell phone and warm clothes in your vehicle in case you get stuck.
The roadways are a mess, numerous bus and rail routes are suspended, and cancellations are adding up by the thousands for planes flying across the country.
We expect of 10-14″ of snow in northern portions of Bucks, Montgomery and Chester counties and that stretches into the Lehigh Valley where 14+" are not out of the question. Southern Delaware and Coastal NJ have received upwards of 6″ of snow early this morning, but are now dealing with heavy rain, coastal flooding and wind gusts exceeding 40 mph.
Snow amounts are significant and growing fast.
Townsend DE: 10.3″
Bear DE: 10″
Vineland NJ: 7.3″
Glassboro NJ: 7.0″
Dover DE: 6″
Wynnewood PA: 4″
Nottingham PA: 3.3″
As the storm wraps up, we are seeing indications that there will be a lull developing this afternoon so precipitation intensity may lighten a bit, but there will be a back end to this storm that could be just as bad as the first punch. Bands of heavy snow will set up late tonight and this time there could be rumbles of thunder! Significant accumulations are likely with this second punch especially where the heavy bands form. The storm will pull away early on Friday and the weather will relax for one day before our next snow system arrives Saturday morning. As of now, the snow Saturday looks to be on the lighter side, but some accumulation is likely.
Stay with the Eyewitness Weather Team and we will keep you updated on our latest wrath of winter weather and beyond.
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter