WEATHER UPDATE: 'Significant' Storm To Hit Pa. Sunday, Monday Commute

By Tom Davis:

This one could be plain messy - especially when you’re driving home from that Super Bowl party.

Winter Storm Linus is expected to blanket much of New Jersey and Pennsylvania with snow, ice and rain on Sunday, impacting the Monday morning commute.

The National Weather Service has issued a “Winter Storm Warning,” saying a “significant” storm could possibly dump up to three to nine inches of snow in New Jersey and parts of eastern Pennsylvania, and much rain, sleet and snow in South Jersey.

The warning remains in effect from Sunday evening at 7 p.m. - during the Super Bowl - through Monday afternoon at 1 p.m. There is the potential for one-tenth to one-quarter inch of ice, according to the National Weather Service.

There will be hazardous travel conditions on Sunday night and Monday. Monday morning’s commute may be particularly difficult, according to the National Weather Service.

This Winter Storm Warning means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel.

Close to 100 million people live within the swath forecast to be hit with accumulating snow or enough wintry mix to make for slippery roads from Saturday evening into Monday.

With the potential for several inches to a foot of snow on the region on Super Bowl Sunday, transportation officials urged drivers to watch weather forecasts and be prepared to change any travel plans.

They also reminded motorists that if they do travel on Sunday they should designate a sober driver ahead of time.

“Many people celebrate with friends and family for the Super Bowl, but no matter the day we need to think safety first,” Acting Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. “Drivers should be prepared to stay home if conditions warrant, but regardless of what weather comes, people should never drive impaired by drugs or alcohol.”

PennDOT data shows that last year in Pennsylvania on Super Bowl Sunday there were 287 crashes, with two fatalities in those crashes. Seventeen of the crashes were alcohol-related.

The strengthening storm will carry moisture in from the Pacific Ocean and grab more moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean along the way. The result will be a swath of heavy snow from part of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys to part of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England, according to Accuweather.