What to Know
- A major snowstorm is set to move into South Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania suburbs overnight into Monday.
- A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect from 1 a.m. Monday through 1 a.m. Tuesday for parts of South Jersey and Delaware while a Winter Weather Advisory will also be in effect for Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs from 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday.
- The snow is expected to move into the region around 3 a.m. Monday with the heaviest snow falling around 6 a.m. The snow will last throughout the day before tapering off during the mid-evening, with the last remaining flurries around midnight.
- Parts of South Jersey and Delaware should see 5 to 8 inches of snow, Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania suburbs should see 3 to 4 inches of snow and the Lehigh Valley should see a coating to an inch.
- Gov. Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties to go into effect on Sunday at 10 p.m.
Editor's note (Jan. 6, 2025): Track the winter storm with updates throughout Monday with our live blog. Click here.
Part two of a one-two punch of winter weather is set to to hit the Philadelphia region, South Jersey, Delaware and the Pennsylvania suburbs with snow overnight into Monday.
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We saw some light snow on Friday, Jan. 3, that caused slippery roads during the evening commute. Then on Saturday, the region saw a blast of cold air with highs in the low 30s and wind chills that made it feel like the low 20s. Sunday was a little warmer but still cold with temperatures in the mid-30s during the day.
The much bigger storm moves in early Monday, however. A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect from 1 a.m. Monday through 1 a.m. Tuesday for parts of South Jersey and Delaware. A Winter Weather Advisory will also be in effect for Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs from 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday.
What's the timing of the snowstorm?
As the drier air mixes with the system, the snow will taper off across the Lehigh Valley, upper Bucks and Mercer counties during the mid-afternoon. Lighter snow will also fall across Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs at this time while moderate to heavy snow will continue in South Jersey and Delaware into the night.
Weather Stories
The snow will begin moving through our region around 3 a.m. with the heaviest snow falling around 6 a.m. and continuing into the early afternoon.
The snow will finally taper off throughout the entire area by mid-evening with the last remaining flurries around midnight.
How much snow will we get?
Gloucester, Atlantic, northern New Castle, Cape May, southern New Castle and Kent counties - 5 to 8 inches
Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Camden and northwest Burlington counties - 3 to 4 inches
Bucks, western Montgomery, Mercer, Ocean, Berks counties - 1 to 3 inches
Lehigh Valley - A coating to an inch
These snowfall amounts could change if the storm tracks farther north. Some spots to the south could also get greater amounts.
Emergencies ahead of the storm
Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency for South Jersey that will go into effect at 10 p.m. on Sunday due to Monday's storm. The State of Emergency covers Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties, allowing resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm.
“Throughout our state, we are experiencing severe winter weather resulting in hazardous conditions, with snowfall expected to reach a high of six to eight inches in our southern counties," Murphy said. “These dangerous outdoor conditions may impact the morning or evening commutes and make travel very difficult. Drivers should stay off the roads if possible, remain alert, and follow all safety protocols.”
Several towns throughout the Pennsylvania suburbs also declared snow emergencies, including Downingtown Borough and Lower Southampton.
Closures ahead of the storm
The city of Philadelphia announced Sunday afternoon that all Philadelphia School District schools and government offices will be closed on Monday due to the storm.
The Chester Upland School District also announced they will close all of their schools on Monday.
You can find a full list of school closures and delays throughout the region here.
Preparing for the storm
Local hardware stores were doing what they could to be prepared for the winter storms.
Audubon Hardware in Camden County, New Jersey, got 19 pallets of rock salt on Thursday, Jan. 2.
"People are starting to come in now. A lot of people are going to wait and see if it does really snow," Audubon Hardware's Glenn Hare told NBC10. "It’ll be crazy."
Another 17 pallets of calcium arrived to Audubon Hardware on Friday, Jan. 3 so the store could stay stocked.
Meanwhile, Fairmount Hardware in Philadelphia has shovels, ice scrappers and bags of salt stocked and ready to go.
"We definitely get busy. Everyone in the store gets excited. It’s a lot of work but it’s also a lot of fun," Fairmount Hardware's Andy Siegel said.
Suburban Lawn and Equipment in Stanton, Delaware, said they're getting lots of calls from people looking for very last minute repairs to their snow blowers. Their biggest suggestion is to use fuel stabilizer and start it once a month throughout the year to keep it from dying on you between storms.
"As funny as it sounds, if you start your snow thrower up once a month in the off season and let it run for five or ten minutes it will save you time and money," Anthony Petruccelli, of Suburban Lawn and Equipment said.
Drivers urged to use caution
Delaware
DelDOT is preparing to fight to keep the roads safe for drivers and are urging everyone to stay home if they can late Sunday and into early Monday.
"If you don't have to be out especially Sunday night into the early hours of Monday please just let our crews work and we will get the roads cleared and get everyone back out as quickly as possible," C.R. McLeod, of DelDOT, told NBC10.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the state's Turnpike Commission issued a statement on Friday, Jan. 3 telling drivers to avoid unnecessary travel during Monday's snow storm.
Speed and vehicle restrictions will be instituted during the storm, officials said. Crews will be out treating the roads before the storm hits to prevent ice from forming.
New Jersey
In Cape May County, due to the snow, the county will be canceling fare free transportation services on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
Meals will still be delivered on Monday and dialysis patients will be transported, but, officials said, all other services are canceled for the safety of the riders and staff.
Also, all Cape May County Senior Centers will be closed on Monday, January 6.
County officials said that this will include Senior Centers in North Wildwood, Lower Township, and Upper Township.
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