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Big snow, up to 8 inches, all but certain

All eyes on approaching winter storm

A pedestrian pauses to look at the ice build up along the Delaware River at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. Yet another round of winter weather in Pennsylvania has prompted flight cancellations and delays, speed reductions on highways and the Pennsylvania turnpike and early dismissal of some school classes — but officials are already focusing on a larger storm expected later in the week. (David Maialetti / Staff Photographer)
A pedestrian pauses to look at the ice build up along the Delaware River at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. Yet another round of winter weather in Pennsylvania has prompted flight cancellations and delays, speed reductions on highways and the Pennsylvania turnpike and early dismissal of some school classes — but officials are already focusing on a larger storm expected later in the week. (David Maialetti / Staff Photographer)Read more
    by By Emily Babay, Philly.com, Inquirer
    Published 

Unless the atmosphere confounds the computer models, Philadelphia is about to get its biggest snowfall of the season Thursday.

The National Weather Service's winter-storm warning through 7 p.m. Thursday calls for 6 to 8 inches in the immediate Philadelphia area, with slightly less in the farther out northern and western suburbs.

Wednesday's rain is expected change to sleet and then snow in the evening. The weather service is reporting that accumulating snow should start around 3 a.m.

Forecasters are warning that driving conditions will worsen quickly after the rain shifts to snow overnight, with the Thursday morning commute likely to be especially perilous.

The snow is expected to continue through most of the day, and perhaps into the evening.

Once it stops, a frigid burst of air is due to send temperatures tumbling to near record levels by Friday morning.

The newest storm comes after many school districts in the Philadelphia area opened late Wednesday due the mix of snow, sleet and rain that hit the region Tuesday afternoon and evening, leaving wet, sometimes slick, roads.

Here's the latest of what you need to know:

STATE OF EMERGENCY

As of 6 a.m. Thursday, the city of Philadelphia will be under a snow emergency.

Mayor Michael Nutter announced Wednesday night that all cars parked on snow emergency routes must be moved before 6 a.m. or they will be towed. Motorists can find a map of snow emergency routes by clicking here.

Nutter said city officials will announce any school closings Thursday morning.

Trash and recycling pickup will be suspended tomorrow because of plowing, Nutter said.

HIGHWAYS

Crews are out treating major roadways.

MASS TRANSIT

SEPTA: Bus route 28 is being detoured due to icy conditions. The transit agency was also warning riders of slippery conditions at parking lots, stations and platforms. www.septa.org

PATCO: Will operate on a snow schedule Thursday. It can be found at http://bit.ly/1aLtLyo

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Nearly 300 flights to or from PHL were canceled or delayed Wednesday. Due to low cloud cover, some flights to PHL are delayed an average of 1 hour, 15 minutes. For Thursday, more than 260 flights had already been canceled by early Wednesday afternoon. These altered flights represent 20 percent of all arriving and departing flights, according to Mary Flannery, an airport spokeswoman. For more flight information go to www.phl.org.

GOVERNMENT

Delware County and Montgomery County offices will open two hours late on Thursday.

Some municipalities, including Haverford and Abington townships, have declared snow emergencies starting Wednesday evening. In Haverford, all township buildings - Administration, Skatium, Recreation, CREC, Library - will be closed on Thursday and will reopen 8 a.m. Friday. All trash and recycling collections will be canceled for Thursday.