The snowstorm literally has become a coastal bomb and has intensified to near hurricane intensity, says Accu-Weather's Tom Kines.
The peak winds haven't hit yet, and could reach 35 to 40 m.p.h. when they do this afternoon, creating blizzard conditions. Snow will fall heavily at times into tonight.
As any large, complex storm it has come with its share of idiosyncracies, but in the grand scheme, so far it has behaved as the computer models suggested it would.
It has consolidated offshore, and probably is getting at least a little kick from the Gulf Stream, the warm current that veers off the Southeast Atlantic Coast.
As of 1 p.m., snow totals varied from 8 to 15 inches in the Pennsylvania suburbs, with 5 to 9 in adjacent South Jersey, where the change back to snow took a little longer.
Here are the latest snow totals.
As far as we know, 1995-96, which holds the record for seasonal snowfall with 65.5 inches, has not yet conceded. The 1 p.m. offiicial total from Philadelphia International Airport, which actually is measured by an observer across the river in National Park, N.J., was 8.8.
That put this season at 65.1. Our guess is that '95-'96 is about to wave the white flag.
Philadelphia never has had two giant storms within a week of each other. Perhaps you've often wondered what that might look like.
You need wonder no longer.
there has to be more "news" that can be written about. I mean we all can see it is snowing outside i/we dont need to news or the newspapers updating us on those "facts" every minute on the minute— amann08- there has to be more "news" that can be written about. I mean we all can see it is snowing outside i/we dont need to news or the newspapers updating us on those "facts" every minute on the minute— amann08
- it's all about putting this once-in-a-lifetime event in context— matt golas
- I lived in Philly for 38 years and was there for hte 1996 snow record. I now live in St. Petersburg Florida and I am glad for one that they keep writing about the snow. I love snow and miss it a lot. I am living vicariuosly through this newspaper site and Channel 6 Action News :)— mmowinski
- I live in outside of PA now but have deep Philly roots ...I take issue w/amann08s...this is news....and to those of us w/ Philly roots all this is of interest as it should be to all who are impacted by the storm....this forum is the best way to get information..so thank you Philly.com for doing so...— rvs2nd
- I live in outside of PA now but have deep Philly roots ...I take issue w/amann08s...this is news....and to those of us w/ Philly roots all this is of interest as it should be to all who are impacted by the storm....this forum is the best way to get information..so thank you Philly.com for doing so...— rvs2nd
- I'm with mmowinski and rvs2nd. I too am an ex PA-resident and enjoy reading about this history making event. I'm just grateful that I don't have to dig our from underneath it. My guess is that amanno8 does.— AHiredGun
Tony Wood has been writing about the atmosphere for The Inquirer for 26 years.- Read Tony's columns here.
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