Blizzard Warning Issued for Philadelphia and Surrounding Counties; Up to 22 Inches of Snow Expected

Alert Details

A Blizzard Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, NJ. The alert is effective starting at 10:00 AM EST on Sunday, February 22, and remains in effect until 6:00 PM EST on Monday, February 23. This is a potentially historic winter storm expected to bring crippling snowfall to the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following regions in Pennsylvania:

• Philadelphia County
• Delaware County
• Eastern Montgomery County
• Upper Bucks County
• Lower Bucks County

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit with you. In the event you become stranded, stay with your vehicle. Residents can obtain the latest road conditions by calling 5-1-1. Preparation should be completed immediately as conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly.

Expected Conditions

• Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations between 16 and 22 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible. Snowfall rates may exceed 2 inches per hour at the height of the storm.
• Wind: Winds are forecast to gust as high as 45 mph, causing significant drifting of snow.
• Visibility: Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, creating blizzard conditions.
• Impacts: Travel could become difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions will severely impact the Monday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds may also bring down tree branches and cause isolated power outages.

Timeline

Precipitation will develop today, changing to all snow this afternoon and evening. The most severe conditions and heaviest snowfall are expected tonight. Snow will gradually taper off during the daytime on Monday, with the warning officially expiring at 6:00 PM EST Monday.