Snow emergency declared for Philadelphia as major winter storm approaches

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia has declared a snow emergency ahead of a winter storm that could dump up to 10 inches of snow on the city.

The snow emergency will be in effect for Philadelphia starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.

It will remain in effect until roadway conditions improve, Mayor Cherelle Parker said.

She asked city residents to move cars off snow emergency routes by that time.

How Philadelphia is preparing for the winter storm

School District of Philadelphia schools closed Monday

All schools in the School District of Philadelphia will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26, due to this weekend’s winter storm.

Monday will be a snow day, Superintendent Tony Watlington said, and he encouraged students and staff to “enjoy the snow.”

However, if schools are closed for any additional days, those will be remote learning days.

Watlington said students will be sent home with charged Chromebooks on Friday, just in case schools are closed after Monday.

LIVE UPDATES: Major winter storm set to hit the Philadelphia region

Archdiocesan schools in the city to have Flexible Instruction Day

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia said Archdiocesan high schools and parochial elementary schools in the city will utilize a Flexible Instruction Day on Monday due to the winter storm.

Students and parents should refer to their local school website and look for updates from their local school administration for further details.

Archdiocesan high schools and parochial elementary schools in the suburban counties normally follow the decision of their corresponding local public school district and submit closure status independently.

Trash and recycling collection in Philadelphia suspended Monday

Trash and recycling services will be suspended for Monday, Jan. 26, and collection for the rest of the week will be pushed back one day.

Clean and Green Director Carlton Williams said this will help make sure all city resources are dedicated to snow removal following Sunday’s storm.

Residents are asked to hold their trash and recycling for the next day.

There will also be no two-day-per-week trash collection for neighborhoods that receive that service, Williams said.

All rear driveway collections are suspended, Williams continued. Residents who have driveway collections are asked to bring their trash out front or use the drop-off center.

A list of sites is available at phila.gov/sanitation.

Further adjustments could be made, and residents are asked to pay attention for updates.

Discounted parking at Center City garages

The Philadelphia Parking Authority is offering a discounted parking rate for Center City garages in response to the snow emergency.

The PPA says there will be a flat, 24-hour parking rate of $5 starting at 7 p.m. Saturday and will last until the snow emergency is lifted.

For the list of garages with discounted rates, visit this page at PhilaPark.org.

SEPTA says riders should expect service impacts due to winter storm

SEPTA customers should expect impacts to bus, trolley and Regional Rail service due the winter storm set to hit our region on Sunday.

Those impacts are likely to include trip cancellations, and it’s possible SEPTA will have to entirely shut down some services, General Manager Scott Sauer said during a news conference on Friday.

“We will only operate for as long as it is safe to do so,” Sauer said.

Whenever possible, service shutdowns would be announced at least two hours before they go into effect, he

He went on to say that the best options for getting around the city are the Market-Frankford Line (The L Line) and the Broad Street Line (The B Line).

RELATED: For the latest conditions on area highways, check 6abc.com/Traffic

“We can keep those lines running because large portions of them are underground,” he said.

He urged riders to have a contingency plan in case service is disrupted.

Warming centers in Philadelphia

More than a dozen warming centers throughout the city are available to anyone, including people who are housed but may have experienced a power outage, flooding from burst frozen pipes, or have little to no heat.

“All are welcome,” the city said in a news release Friday.

More information about Enhanced Code Blue, including a frequently updated map and list, is available at phila.gov/GetWarm.

Call (215) 232-1984 at the Office of Homeless Services to get help for someone living or sleeping outdoors.

Philadelphia city offices to be closed Monday due to winter storm

All City of Philadelphia administrative office buildings will be closed to the public on Monday, January 26.

This includes nonessential city residential services for L&I, Revenue and Water Revenue in the Municipal Services Building, Neighborhood Community Action Centers, among other city agencies.

Philadelphia courts to be closed Monday due to winter storm

The Courts of Philadelphia will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26 due to the winter storm that is set to hit the area on Sunday.

If you have been summoned for jury duty, you are excused and do not need to report on Monday.

All cases, both in person and virtual, – with the exception of Orphans’ Court – that were scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026 will be rescheduled. The public can contact the Court at Courts.phila.gov for new dates.

All hearings scheduled in the Orphans’ Court Division will proceed as scheduled virtually by Zoom.

All critical services are expected to remain operational including: Preliminary Arraignment Court, OJR Bail Acceptance, and filings of Emergency Protection from Abuse Petitions at the Stout Center for Criminal Justice (1301 Filbert Street).

Snow emergency declared for Philadelphia as major winter storm approaches

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