The Philadelphia region is bracing for a winter storm this weekend with the possibility of up to a foot 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 face temperatures of 20 degrees 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, “confidence continues to increase” in a major winter storm impacting the region Saturday night through early Monday afternoon.
Models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show the Delaware Valley, including Philadelphia, southern New Jersey and Delaware, at a 70 to 80% probability of receiving more than 12 inches of snow over the weekend. The southern Poconos, Lehigh Valley and northern New Jersey have an 80% to 90% probability of receiving more than 6 inches of snow.
“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.”
Temperatures will briefly warm up Thursday
Temperatures will briefly warm up Thursday, with current predictions showing Philadelphia’s high at 45 degrees before an Arctic cold front hits the region later in the day. By Friday night, temperatures for southern New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware are expected to peak between 10 to 15 degrees.
“Minimum wind chill values will range from 0 to 10 below for the majority of the area, and from 10 to 20 below for the Southern Poconos and far northwest New Jersey, where a Cold Weather Advisory may be needed,” the discussion said.
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 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 14 warming centers below are open amid the current Code Blue.