ACCUWEATHER: The monster storm set to target the Northeast will also drop monster snow totals. The storm will unleash over a foot of snow across the mountains of northern New England and from central New York to northwestern New Jersey. All of this snow is expected to start on Thursday. The worst of the storm will rage Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. At that time, the snow will fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour where total of over 6 inches are expected. Strong winds will severely blow and drift this heavily-falling snow, making travel nearly impossible. Rain will spare eastern New England from substantial snowfall. The same cannot be said from New York City to Washington, D.C., and over the central Appalachians. Snow will create hazardous travel, especially the farther north along this corridor you go. Blowing and drifting snow will also worsen the situation. MORE
UPDATE: Beginning Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 9:00 am, Managing Director Camille C. Barnett will declare a snow emergency. All vehicles parked on Snow Emergency Routes must be moved to an alternate parking location by 9:00 a.m. Any vehicle remaining on a Snow Emergency Route during the declared Snow Emergency will be ticketed and towed. If your car is towed, call 215-686-SNOW for its location. Do NOT call 911. [MORE AFTER THE JUMP]
A list of snow emergency routes can be found at www.phila.gov/streets/Snow_
Current forecasts predict rain and sleet to begin Wednesday evening around midnight and intensify Thursday afternoon with heavy, wet snow. An accumulation of at least 8 to 12 inches is expected. In addition to the snow, high winds are expected, creating zero visibility and major drifting that will make travel nearly impossible. For updated weather forecast information, visit the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/phi
Since this storm will begin with sleet and accumulate to heavy, wet snow by Thursday s evening rush hour citizens are asked to be careful while traveling home on Thursday. Drivers are strongly urged to avoid unnecessary travel, but if you must travel, allow extra time and drive cautiously during this snow emergency, said Director Barnett. Please be mindful of pedestrians and children arriving home from work and school.
Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson advises residents of the Streets Department s plans in preparation for another significant snowfall. We are asking residents for their patience and cooperation again as we prepare to fight our third snowstorm in four weeks, said Streets Commissioner Tolson. Our crews will focusing efforts on removing snow in a timely manner, but illegally parked cars and throwing snow back into the streets will hinder our ability to clear the roads, especially around some of the smaller streets.
Streets Commissioner Tolson also announced trash and recycling collection will be postponed for residents that have Thursday and Friday pickup. Residents are asked to place their trash and recycling out Thursday and Friday of next week when they will be collected. To prevent Sanitation trucks from being unable to access impassable driveways, residents who have rear driveway pickup on Mondays and Tuesdays are urged to set out their trash and recycling in front of their homes for curbside pickup.
For successful snow and ice management, Streets Commissioner Tolson urges residents to follow these tips:
– Apply any commercial de-icer on steps and sidewalks early to prevent residual moisture from freezing over and creating icy conditions.
– Clear a sidewalk path at least 30 wide within 6 hours of the end of the storm as listed in the Philadelphia Code (10-720).
– Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain.
– Be conscious of the environment use de-icing salts only as much as needed. One pound of de-icer can cover 100 to 200 square feet .
– Salt should be applied as soon as a light accumulation has developed on the surface. This will break the bond between additional accumulations and the pavement surface, and will make it easier to shovel.
– A final light application of a de-icer may be required after removal is completed to melt the residual snow.
– Make sure you park your car as far away from the corner as possible. Cars parked too close to the corner limit the turning radius of salting vehicles.
– Stay tuned to local media for further updates.
– Check on sick and elderly neighbors.
In preparation for tomorrow’s anticipated snow storm, the Philadelphia Parking Authority announced that beginning at 4:00 PM on Thursday, February 25, 2010 and ending Saturday morning at 8:00 AM, the following PPA owned and operated center city garages will charge a 24 hour flat parking rate of $5.00:
– Auto-Park at JFK (16th & JFK)
– Auto-Park at Independence Mall (5th & Market)
– Auto-Park at Jefferson (10th & Ludlow)
– Auto-Park at Gallery Mall (10th & Filbert)
– 8th & Filbert
– Old City at 2nd and Sansom
PPA Lots at:
– 8th & Chestnut
– 19th & Callowhill
– 15th & Arch
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is committed to working with Mayor Michael Nutter during the upcoming snow emergency by encouraging people to remove vehicles from city streets and take advantage of the PPA’s discounted garage parking rate,” PPA Executive Director Vince Fenerty said.
To report a street in need of salting or plowing or for more information on any Streets Department program or service, call 3-1-1. More information on snow removal operations can be found at www.phila.gov/streets/Snow.