Big Snow Arrives Today
Looks like you’ll finally get a chance to put Philly Mag’s Ultimate Guide to Sledding in Philadelphia to the test. Snow is expected to arrive in the city today — and depending on which forecast you believe, we could be in store for quite a lot of it.
“A ‘potentially historic’ storm could dump 2 to 3 feet of snow from northern New Jersey to southern Maine starting Monday, crippling a region that has largely been spared so far this winter, the National Weather Service said,” AP reports. “Boston is expected to get 18 to 24 inches of snow, with up to 3 feet west of the city, and Philadelphia could see 14 to 18 inches, the weather service said.”
That’s why — as we told you last night — Philly’s public and parochial schools are closing at noon today.
Philadelphia Airport was preparing for a knockout blow. “Nearly every big airline in the United States and Canada had announced winter-weather waivers by 7:45 p.m. ET Sunday. The details vary by airline, but most allow passengers flying through to or through the Northeast to make one itinerary change without paying the standard change fee,” USA Today reports. “Major airports expected to see disruptive snow totals include New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia, Boston and most airports in New England.”
CBS Philly says the city’s streets department has crews ready to roll. “Streets Commissioner David Perri says the city has 40,000 tons of salt on hand,” the station says. “There are 140 vehicles ready to plow and salt, plus about 125 trash trucks that can be outfitted with plows if they’re absolutely needed. But they’re all big for the city’s narrower streets.”
Residents were making their own preparations. ” With another winter blast expected to move through the Philadelphia region, hardware stores were busy Sunday with residents stocking up on rock salt and all the other items needed to get through the snow,” KYW reported. “A steady flow of customers stopped by Fairmount Hardware at 20th and Fairmount Streets to grab all the necessary items to get though the storm. Manager David Adams said shovels and ice scrapers were selling quickly. They also carry sleds and a parking lot full of salt.”
Meanwhile, Philly Police were busy on social media reminding Philadelphians they can’t save parking spots on city streets, even if they shoveled the snow themselves.
Grrrr! Someone parked in "your" space?! #NoSavesies https://t.co/PZNu2ofODt pic.twitter.com/HeoprPpbt6
— Philadelphia Police Department (@PhillyPolice) January 23, 2015
Today’s just the opening round, 6ABC says. Tuesday is when we’ll take the real blow. “The potential for a second round of snow exists Monday night into Tuesday,” the station reports. “If the storm rapidly intensifies and throws back moisture across our area, we could see 8″-12″ in the city; and 12″-18″ in Central and Eastern Jersey.”
