Philadelphia receives largest snowfall of the season

Thursday's storm dropped the most snow on Philadelphia this season.

The official Philadelphia Airport measurement at 7 p.m. was 7.5 inches, which is the biggest snowfall of the season.

After rain and sleet overnight, the precipitation changed to snow from west to east around dawn Thursday, a few hours behind schedule. Temperatures fell, and roads quickly were coated with perilous layers of snow and ice.

Mayor Michael Nutter announced Thursday evening that the city's snow emergency will be lifted at midnight.

Here's what you need to know:

ROADS

A number of accidents are being reported around the area and has slowed traffic on local highways. As a precaution, speed limits on the Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, Commodore Barry and Walt Whitman bridges have been reduced to 25 mph. The Ben Franklin Bridge walkway is closed.

In Pennsylvania, speed limits have been reduced on Interstates 76, 95, 476, 676; U.S. Routes 1, 30, 202 and 422; and State Routes 63, 100 Spur and 309.

In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie urged anyone who doesn't need to be outside to stay off the roads.

Motorists should expect reduced speed limits on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

MASS TRANSIT

SEPTA: Trains, buses and trolleys are running on a normal weekday schedule and will continue to do so into the Thursday evening and Friday morning; however, riders will expect delays throughout the night and into Friday morning.

The Market-Frankford Line and Broad Street Line will stay in operation overnight replacing Nite Owl bus service. After midnight, trains will run every 20 minutes, but there is no A-B service.

Service on bus routes 18, 19, 35, 139, H, XH and L has been suspended. A number of other bus routes - 7, 9, 14, 27, 28, 31, 32, 38, 44, 48, 52, 55, 56, 58, 62, 65, 84, 88, 90, 92, 93, 95, 97, 98, 99, 103, 104, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 115, 117, 118, 119, 120, 125, 126, 131 and G - are on detours.

PATCO: A snow schedule is in effect. http://ridepatco.org

NJ Transit: The transit system will cross-honor all rail, bus and light rail passes. http://njtransit.com

Amtrak: Northeast Regional, Acela Express and Keystone Service trains are running on modified schedules Thursday, and will operate on a modified schedule on Friday. http://amtrak.com

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

More than 630 flights to or from PHL have been canceled, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.com. More than 100 other flights were delayed. The airport said Thursday that snow and ice were prompting arrival delays averaging nearly two and a half hours.

Snow and cold temperatures Thursady night are expected to impact flight operations on Friday, especially in the morning, according to an airport alert. Those with scheduled Friday flights are instructed to checck flight statuses at phl.org.

AREA SNOW TOTALS

As of 8 p.m. these are the total snow accumulations.

Pennsylvania: In Chester County, Coatesville is reporting 8 inches and Exton 8.5 inches. In Delaware County, Wayne is reporting 10 inches, Media is reporting 10.5 inches and Drexel Hill is reporting 8.9 inches. In Bucks County, Langhorne is reporting 7.5 inches and Warminster is reporting 8 inches. In Montgomery County, Abington is reporting 8 inches, Bala Cynwood is reporting 9.5 inches, and King of Prussia is reporting 10.4 inches.

South Jersey: In Gloucester County, Manuta Township is reporting 8 inches. In Butlington County, Mount Holly is reporting 8.3 inches. In Camden County, Vorhees is reporting 7.5 inches.

UTILITIES

As of 5:30 p.m., more than 350 Peco customers in region were without power, which is down from more than 3,000 outages reported earlier this afternoon.

GOVERNMENT

 Philadelphia government offices will be open on Friday. Trash and recycling willl be collected.