The NBC10 First Alert Weather Team is tracking a winter storm that is expected to arrive as early as Sunday night, which could last until Tuesday morning. The storm is expected to accumulate snow, but also pockets of hail and freezing rain in some neighborhoods.
A first warning is in effect for the entire Greater Philadelphia region, which means that people must now be prepared not to be caught off guard. Even before the snow arrives, the conditions will seem quite brutal. Winds will blow between 40 and 55 mph on the Jersey Shore and 35 to 72 mph inland, making temperatures appear low.
Winter storm warnings were issued in the following Pennsylvania counties: Bucks, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Lehigh, Northampton and Cumberland. We also see winter storm warnings in New Castle County, DE, and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Salem and Hunterdon counties in NJ. Ocean, Burlington, Cape May and Atlantic counties in NJ are under coastal surveillance.
We are answering some of your questions with what we know so far. Be sure to check again, as the forecast can adjust when the information becomes clearer.
NBC10 A major winter storm is heading for our region, and we have updated our forecast with increased snowfall and a greater chance of winter mixing. The storm trail and the rain / snow / ice line, along with where the heaviest snow can fall, can still change.
When should the snow start? How long it will last?
Snow is expected to be steady until Sunday night, although the largest volumes fall on Monday.
From Sunday night until Monday morning, we were able to see a calm with only light snow or sleet and light freezing rain.
From the middle of the day from Monday to Monday at night, we will see precipitation increase and change to constant and heavy snow, contributing to the conditions of displacement of the pool.
Rock salt was also a hot item when a two-part winter storm approached and residents in our area prepared. Drew Smith reports from NBC10.
Things are due out Tuesday morning.
With cold ground, falling snow will start to adhere to untreated surfaces. Driving can be slippery, and people are advised to avoid driving on Mondays. Even on Tuesday morning, it is best to wait for snowplows to do their job before hitting the road.
What should you expect from the winter storm?
You should expect snow, enough to need plowing, and rain or a winter mix on the Jersey coast and southern Delaware. The interior areas must obtain the highest snow totals.
People on Shore and southern Delaware may experience rain or a mixture of freezing rain and sleet on Monday morning. However, there can still be 1-3 inches of snow near the beaches and 3-6 inches further inland.
To the north of these areas, people must prepare for anything between 15 and 25 centimeters, or even 16, depending on where they live.
Where do I live will it be snow, ice or a mixture?
The forecast becomes more challenging on Monday, as snow is expected to mix with hail and freezing rain in some neighborhoods. This will decrease the total potential for snowfall in these areas, but may increase concerns about slippery travel and possible power outages.
A difference of one or two degrees can turn snow into ice. Winds that can reach more than 50 mph near the coast can increase the threat of lights out.
On Monday morning, Jersey Shore and southern Delaware can see rain or a mixture of hail and freezing rain. As the day progresses, 3 to 6 inches of snow can fall in the interior of South Jersey, although neighborhoods closest to the beach can reach just 1 to 3 inches.
Inland is where most snow is expected to fall. Neighborhoods in corridor I-95 and to the north can be 15 to 25 centimeters. We could see 25 to 40 centimeters north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
What changes should I observe?
Our team is working to determine where the strongest snow and hail will be during the second part of the storm. We are also still trying to answer how much of the precipitation will be snow and how much will be a winter mix.
It is important to follow the latest predictions from the NBC10 Meteorological Team, as the track may continue to change.
A change in route could mean a change in how neighborhoods in the Philadelphia area receive the heaviest and most intense snow before the storm passes Tuesday morning.
Stay ahead of the storm
Download the NBC10 app right now and continue to tune in to NBC10 news on the air, on Roku and on Apple TV while the First Alert Weather Team continues to update the storm forecast over the weekend.