Philadelphia weather: Ice threat potential looms for Thursday morning commute
PHILADELPHIA - A system is on the march to the Delaware and Lehigh vallies that has the potential to disrupt Thursday morning’s commute and could result in dangerous conditions for commuters.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for everyone but the shore counties from midnight until various times throughout the area Thursday.
What we know:
A winter storm is making its way east, bringing with it enough energy to disperse a variety of winter conditions, beginning around midnight Thursday and stretching into the daytime.
Dangerous conditions could be setting up for commuters Thursday morning, as the storm will switch from snow to sleet to ice by drive time.
Timeline:
Wednesday going into Thursday, at midnight, the storm should move in, beginning with snow.
The precipitation will changeover to sleet in the early morning hours, between 2 and 4 a.m. Then there will be a switch to freezing rain just in time for Thursday morning’s rush hour.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for nearly everyone, excluding the shore counties. The advisories begin for New Castle County as well as Cumberland and Salem counties at 9 p.m. Wednesday, lasting into Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
The advisories in Pennsylvania begin at midnight, but will end for the I-95 corridor and the remaining South Jersey counties at 10 a.m., while not ending for the counties farther north and west until noon Thursday.
Big picture view:
In total, forecasters anticipate snow and sleet accumulations up to an inch and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch.
The impact for rush hour could be potentially very harsh. Road conditions could deteriorate rapidly once the sleet and ice take hold.
Commuters who must travel, rather than work from home, should anticipate slippery conditions. As part of the advisory messages, the National Weather Service states there is a possible threat to life or property as the storm moves through.
School closings and delays:
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