Update Issued For PA Storm: See Latest Timing, Snow Totals

A winter storm warning is in place across the entire region from Saturday night through Monday morning as forecasters predict a foot or more of snow and ice could blanket the Philadelphia region. Pennsylvania officials have declared a disaster emergency ahead of the storm.

In a new storm forecast released Saturday morning, forecasters said confidence is increasing that some areas in the Philadelphia region will see snow mixing with ice.

Forecasters predict the Philadelphia region will see about a foot of accumulation, with areas north seeing as much as 18 inches. The heavy snow and ice accumulation will make travel "dangerous or impossible" Sunday into Monday. "Expect widespread road closures and significant delays on major interstates and highways," the National Weather Service said.

Snowfall rates near 1-2” per hour are likely during the day Sunday.

Forecasters are warning that the combination of heavy snow followed by sleet/freezing rain and winds gusting 20-30 mph could result in downed trees and power outages.

The snow could mix with sleet in areas around the I-95 corridor. The timing for the mixing is predicted to be Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening. "Mixing could occur as far inland as the Lehigh Valley and I-78 corridor. There is increasing confidence in ice accumulations around 0.1-0.3”, which could result in damage to trees and power lines, and further complicate travel," the National Weather Service said.

After the storm, forecasters predict there will be a prolonged period of "well below" normal temperatures through next weekend, with temperatures and wind chills in the single digits to below zero each night.

Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday signed a disaster declaration that will make it easier for Pennsylvania to respond and recover from the weather event.

The governor’s disaster declaration enables the state to more rapidly provide funding to state agencies, giving them the ability to quickly assist counties and municipalities with their responses to the winter storm.

Additionally, restrictions have been implemented for certain vehicles on all Pennsylvania interstates, the turnpike and several other major roads in advance of the storm.

Starting at midnight on Saturday, when the storm is expected to begin ramping up to full force, the state will implement what it calls a Tier 4 Vehicle Restriction. On roads where that restriction is in place, the following vehicles are not permitted:

• All commercial vehicles
• Motor coaches
• School buses
• Motorcycles
• Recreational vehicles and motor homes
• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) with towing trailers