Snow impacts morning commute, Philly public schools open late

A winter storm that moved through the Philadelphia region Sunday evening ended overnight with accumulations varying from a trace at the Shore to up to six inches west of the city.

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Snow was forecast to fall at the rate of an inch or more an hour, depending on the location, and make for “very hazardous travel conditions ... with roads likely to be snow-covered quickly," according to the National Weather Service. As of Sunday night, it was still tricky to predict which areas would be hit hardest. The transition line between snow and rain remained close to the I-95 corridor.

By 10 p.m. Sunday, however, temperatures were still above freezing and snow had changed back to rain and sleet in most areas. The National Weather Service said that, regardless of overall accumulation, conditions would be difficult, with sleet and ice complicating travel in some places. Multiple accidents were reported Sunday night.

Philadelphia public schools announced early Monday they would open two hours late. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Sunday night that all its schools in the city would be closed Monday, but that its schools in the suburbs normally follow decisions by local public school districts.

A number of suburban public school districts, including Downingtown and Council Rock, called two-hour delays but said they would reassess conditions Monday morning.

SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines will operate on a Saturday schedule, and Cynwyd Line service will not operate. SEPTA officials warned that “service disruptions are possible throughout the storm and afterward, particularly on Regional Rail and on bus routes that operate on roadways that typically become difficult to traverse during extreme winter weather."

PATCO, which first announced it would run Monday trains on a modified snow schedule, changed course and said it would operate trains as usual for a weekday.

Amtrak also made schedule adjustments.

Travelers with flights leaving from Philadelphia International Airport were encouraged to check their status before heading to the airport. As in past storms, airlines are expected to offer free waivers to change itineraries.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for all 21 New Jersey counties Sunday to allow for increased assistance with storm-related needs. Gov. Tom Wolf signed a state of emergency declaration for Pennsylvania in January, and it remains in effect.

Commercial-travel restrictions were in effect in both states. And both states had crews ready to salt or brine roads.

The latest winter offense began about 3:30 p.m. Sunday as rain, then sleet in some areas, but was expected to fall as snow until just before daybreak Monday, said Mike Gorse, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

“Right now, we’re looking at four to seven inches of snow,” he said of the I-95 corridor and suburban communities west and north of it. “That will drop off quite a bit as you get closer to farther South Jersey.”

At the Jersey Shore, accumulation was expected to amount to “a coating to an inch,” Gorse said.

Of the month of March, he said: “We should just skip it and go right to April.”

However, the forecast for Monday called for a high approaching 40 in Philly, giving roads a chance to clear. But temperatures were then set to plunge the rest of the week, so snow on lawns could stick around.

The Philadelphia Flower Show, which opened to the public Saturday, has often seen some of winter’s nastiest weather. However, the roads and sidewalks were still mostly clear in the city through the bulk of the show’s hours Sunday from 8 a.m. through 9 p.m.

And take heart as you slip and slide and shovel: Baseball’s opening day is almost here. At Citizens Bank Park, Bryce Harper jerseys and T-shirts are on sale at the team store all week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Staff Writer Mensah M. Dean contributed to this article.