Category: Weather Alerts

The biggest snow storm of the year is knocking on our doors (remember YTD we have had no snow). Don’t worry team NO SNOW. This will only bring a coating to an inch or so across most of the area. Poconos enjoy the snow! All the snow will be washed away later in the day as the snow changes to rain around mid day and we could even get some thunderstorms in the afternoon. Enjoy the snow

While this is not the BIG ONE, it is the biggest one of the year! Allow for extra time this morning as we know most of you forget how to drive in a little snow.

Latest NWS Snow Map for this minor event:

If you are experiencing a power outage contact PECO.

If you smell natural gas or see downed power lines please LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY and call PECO at (for any emergency) 1-800-841-4141 or (for gas only) 1-844-841-4151. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can report an outage at https://www.peco.com/…/ReportAnOutage/Pages/default.aspx

Or call 1-800-841-4141

WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM FRIDAY TO 10 AM EST
SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as
  10 below zero.

* WHERE...Portions of central, northern and southern Delaware,
  northeast Maryland, central, northern, northwest and southern
  New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania.

* WHEN...From 6 PM Friday to 10 AM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if
  precautions are not taken.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong cold front will move through
  Friday bringing a very sharp drop in temperatures with strong
  southerly winds shifting to strong westerly. By Friday evening,
  this combination of wind and cold will result in wind chills
  dropping below zero with wind chills as low as 10 below expected
  overnight Friday night into early Saturday.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
  expected.

* WHERE...Portions of central, northern and southern Delaware,
  northeast Maryland, central, northern, northwest and southern
  New Jersey and east central, northeast and southeast
  Pennsylvania.

* WHEN...From 6 AM to 7 PM EST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
  result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A brief period of wind gusts near 60 mph is
  possible as a strong cold front races through the area from
  late morning to early afternoon Friday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

An ARCTIC BLAST will cause major issues Friday afternoon into Friday evening. This storm will impact millions across the US towards the end of the week. We will see 1-2″ of rain before a huge drop in temps Friday afternoon. Around lunchtime we will see temps in the upper 50s but as this cold front moves across the area rain will change to snow for some and any standing water will freeze. We will also see very high winds on Friday afternoon.

TIMING:
We will see rain move in Thursday evening, it will be heavy at times in the overnight hours into Friday morning. That is when it will get wild. After 1pm we will see heavy rain that will change over to some backend snow as the cold front pushes through. While yes snow is possible the main concern is a FLASH FREEZE. Snow showers should wrap up by 8pm. This will set up for the coldest Christmas eve and day in over 30 years.

==========

How Much Snow:

The models have shown the chance of snow on the back end. A general C-1″ is possible for areas to the west of Philly while the Philly Metro and i95 corridor will see generally coating. PLEASE remember this is a complex storm and a lot of variables that could change.

FLASH FREEZE:
A flash freeze is as it sounds. Once temperatures drop below 32°F, there is a chance for any liquid water to quickly become ice. That ice can cause major accidents on roadways in an instant. Please avoid all travel Friday afternoon if possible.

Here are some tips on how to prepare and avoid ice:

1. Know the forecast. Understand where the temperatures will be before you head out and if there is a risk for ice.
2. Make sure you have proper tires. While a total sheet of black ice can make any traction nearly impossible, winter tires are better equipped to handle ice.
3. Watch for “wet” roads. When driving in the winter, understand that what looks like a wet road could be ice.
4. Know that bridges and overpasses freeze before other surfaces.

Our team is monitoring this system and will bring you the latest updates later this evening. Please avoid all travel Friday afternoon.

FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive
  rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Delaware...New Jersey...and southeast
  Pennsylvania...including the following counties...in northern
  Delaware...New Castle. In New Jersey...Burlington, Camden,
  Gloucester, and Mercer. In southeast Pennsylvania...Bucks,
  Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia.

* WHEN...Until midnight EST.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - At 848 PM EST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges
    indicated heavy rain. This is causing urban and small stream
    flooding. Overflowing poor drainage areas have already caused
    minor flooding across portions of the advisory area. Between
    0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen.
  - Some locations that may experience flooding include...
    Philadelphia, Trenton, Camden, Wilmington, Newark, Gloucester
    City, Cherry Hill, Bensalem, Mount Laurel, Ewing, Norristown,
    and Chester.
  - This includes the following highways...
    New Jersey Turnpike between exits 3 and 7A.
    Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 331 and 359.
    Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 0 and 40.
    Interstate 95 in Delaware between mile markers 2 and 23.
    Interstate 76 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 330 and
    351.
    Interstate 76 in New Jersey between mile markers 0 and 3.
    Interstate 295 in New Jersey between mile markers 11 and 76.
    Interstate 195 in New Jersey between mile markers 0 and 5.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO NOON EST
THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain. Total snow
  accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations of up to
  several hundredths of an inch of ice.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Delaware, southern New Jersey and
  southeast Pennsylvania.

* WHEN...From 5 AM to noon EST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the morning commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain
  will move in to the area from west to east Thursday morning.
  This may last up to a few hours in places, especially north of
  the I-95 corridor. An eventual change to rain will occur from
  south to north by Thursday afternoon. Near and south of the I-95
  corridor, any snow accumulation should be minimal, if any, but
  up to a few hundredths of an inch of ice could occur. North of
  the I-95 corridor, up to an inch of snow and sleet could fall
  along with a thin layer of ice accretion.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.