Author: GreaterPhilaSevereWeather

This week we will see temps hit around 50º BUT a wintery mix/ice event might follow these warmer temps.

While I usually don’t like to talk about a system 5 days out, but I want to put it out that some could from the central plains to the north east could see a ice storm event. While we are not sure of who will see what around here. Models are hinting that ice/freezing rain could make its way towards the Philadelphia area. Anytime I have to mention ICE it scares me as this is no joke. I am hoping this system gets colder faster or stays warm and we are in rain or just snow, but NO ICE.

The GFS paints a icy picture but after the GFS did not do well with our storm last week, I am hoping it stays the same and we do not see this happen. Now the 18z which is pictured below is slightly north from the 12z runs.

Timing: Wed. we could see some freezing fog, then Rain on Thursday. Then a winter mix on Friday that could bring snow and a mix to the area.

Again this is in no way a forecast, I want to get the word out of a possible ICE event later in the week. This would cause major issues.

How to prepare for a Major Winter Storm:

Weatherproof your home tips from the CDC and Weather.Gov

• Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze.
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Insulate walls and attic.
• Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structure during a storm.

Have your chimney or flue inspected each year.

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year. Ask your local fire department to recommend an inspector or find one online.Featured Resource

Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. 

• If you’ll be using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
• Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside.
• Each winter season have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to ensure they are functioning properly.

For older adults, keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside your home.

If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently. Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.

Create an emergency car kit. 

It is best to avoid traveling, but if travel is necessary

• Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
• Items to stay warm such as extra hats, coats, mittens, and blankets
• Windshield scraper
• Shovel
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Water and snack food
• First aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocket knife
• Tow chains or rope
• Tire chains
• Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
• Cat litter or sand to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice
• Booster cables with fully charged battery or jumper cables
• Hazard or other reflectors
• Bright colored flag or help signs, emergency distress flag, and/or emergency flares
• Road maps
• Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water

Here are the unofficial snowfall totals that are being reported via social media as well as the NWS. Snow will began to taper off this afternoon. Across the Philly/i95 area a general 6-12″ has fallen depending on location. Our final calls are inline with that has fallen across most of the area.

The following are UNOFFICIAL totals reported via social media and NWS. These totals were as of 11am this morning. We will update these late today.

When shoveling a fire hydrant it is important to shovel not only the access to the hydrant from the roadway, but also 3-feet around the fire hydrant. Remember the “3 rules for 3 feet”:

1.) Access: When arriving at a hydrant, the “hydrant fire fighter” grabs the hydrant bag with all of the hydrant tools and adapters, and the large diameter supply hose that will get the water to the fire truck. The fire fighter must pull the supply hose for the back of the truck and will “wrap the hydrant” until the truck drives off. This keeps the supply hose anchored at the hydrant and keeps hose from getting drug down the roadway behind the pumper as it drives away.

2.) Room to Work: When affixing adapters, and “charging the hydrant” or turning on the hydrant, adapters and wrenches have a tendency to fall victim to gravity. This problem can be compounded by these items getting lost in the snow. Three feet is vital to quickly find a dropped piece of hardware.

3.) Safety: Some may ask, “Why do I need to shovel the back of the hydrant?” “They can get to the front of the hydrant.” When “charging the hydrant” or turning on the hydrant, for safety reason, the fire fighter MUST stand behind the hydrant. They will NEVER stand in front of the hydrant or to the side of the hydrant. If a hydrant cap, coupling or adapter were to not be securely affixed or become damaged, the water pressure could blow the cap, coupling or adapter off, causing injury to the fire fighter. Once again, having all sides (front, right, left and BACK) is vital for proper and safe hydrant operations.

If you have a hydrant on your property, we ask that you shovel your hydrant to help your local fire department. If you are unable to shovel your hydrant due to health reasons, etc., attempt to educate your neighbors about this “Adopt a Hydrant” program and ask them for assistance. If you have a neighbor who is elderly, or who otherwise can not shovel a fire hydrant, please offer to help shovel the hydrant on their property. In any event, we would like to stress, please seek permission to access another’s property.

As you know by now a Significant Winter Storm will bring heavy snow to parts of the area. North and West of Philadelphia will see sharp cutoffs. The other main issue will be severe winds that could cause power outages. Use today and the first part of Friday to PREPARE for this storm.

At this point my thinking on this winter storm is close to the i95 area will see 6″+ less the further north you are. Vineland NJ east to the shore will see 8″+ with the jackpot zones being at the NJ shore.

TIMING: Snow arrives after 6pm Friday night. The heaviest will be 2am-11am Saturday morning. The snow will wrap up by dinnertime on Saturday afternoon.

WINDS: Winds could gust as high as 40 MPH along i95 with gust over 60mph possible near the shore.

The latest NWS Watches and Warnings

WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING
THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to
  10 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

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

* WHEN...From Friday evening through Saturday evening.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow is expected to begin Friday evening in
  Delmarva and southern New Jersey, spreading northward overnight
  into Saturday morning. Snow may be heavy at times through early
  Saturday afternoon before diminishing late in the day. Winds may
  generate areas of blowing snow and low visibilities at times.
  The storm total snow forecast remains a bit uncertain as there
  will likely be a sharp cutoff in the northwest extent of the
  highest snowfall totals, so stay tuned to the latest forecasts.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this winter storm.

GPSW 2nd Call Map

North and West of the city T-2″
Trenton, Phila, Princeton, Delaware 4-8″+ some areas may see over 6″ in this area
SNJ, Shorepoints 8-12″ + some areas could see more.

At this time I feel the area in darker blue could jump up to a 6-10″ during our next call. We will have a final map out if needed mid day tomorrow.