PA Blizzard: Historic Snow Totals, Travel Resumes, One Death

The fourth-biggest snowstorm in the Philadelphia area’s history walloped the region over the weekend, leaving behind nearly three feet of snow in some areas and completely halting travel.

Snowfall totals came in as high as 32 inches in some parts of the Lehigh Valley, according to the latest National Weather Service snowfall totals. Parts of Chester County got as much as 28 inches, the NWS says.

The snow began Friday evening and continued well into the night Saturday as snowfall estimates continued to increase. All flights were canceled Saturday and SEPTA halted service.

But on Sunday, communities began digging out and some travel was resuming. At Philadelphia International Airport, there are 155 departures and 133 arrivals scheduled for Sunday, the website Flightaware said.

SEPTA has resumed some of its service. Check here for updates.

Throughout the day Saturday, local road crews warned travel was perilous and asked residents not to drive. The National Guard was called to aid drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Some drivers had been stuck for more than 16 hours in a miles-long backup.

At least one death was reported during the blizzard. An elderly man died shoveling snow in Lower Providence Township Saturday, Montgomery County commissioners said during a conference call Saturday

Power outages in the Philadelphia area were minimal. As of Sunday morning, PECO reports just 213 are without power.

The highest amount of outages appeared to happen around 11:50 a.m. Saturday, when there were 3,757 without power in the Philadelphia region. The bulk of them were in Philadelphia.

Sunny skies and temperatures in the low 30s are expected Sunday. On Monday, temperatures will warm up to the mid 30s and by Tuesday low 40s.

Do you have any pictures of the snow to share? Email them to Kara.Seymour@Patch.com. Thanks!

(Photo above submitted by Patricia Roblin. Eric Feinstein snow blows in Upper Milford Township)

Here are the latest updates so far this morning:

FORECAST

• Here are the current snow totals throughout the Philadelphia region.
• The Blizzard Warning has expired.
• Sunny skies and temperatures in the low 30s are expected today. On Monday, temperatures will warm up to the mid 30s and by Tuesday low 40s.

CLOSURES/RESTRICTIONS

• SEPTA announced it will being resuming service Sunday.
• Philadelphia International Airport has also resumed service, although travelers can expect a backlog and delays.

PUBLIC SAFETY

• Find out when your area roads are cleared using PennDOT’s new app.
• Power outages are likely, the NWS says. Click here for tips to prepare for an outage.
• PECO outages were minimal.
• Click here if you experience a power outage and need to contact PECO. In addition to calling, you can now text PECO. By texting “ADDOUTAGE” to MYPECO (697376), customers can report outages and check the status of their outage through text. (To use this service a customer’s mobile number must be registered with their account.)

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