The Jersey Shore is taking the full brunt of the winter storm speeding northward off the coast, with 17 inches of snow reported unofficially around 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Cape May Court House by a trained spotter for the National Weather Service.
Blizzard-like conditions are rocking the shore communities and much of South Jersey, where 8-12 inches of snow had been predicted by forecasters, with 14 inches possible locally. Unofficial observations seem to indicate that final snow accumulations will be several inches deeper in some locations. Wind gusts in excess of 50 mph were recorded in Atlantic City and Cape May and above 60 mph in Lewes, Delaware. Some flooding was reported at the bay near Bader Field in Atlantic City and at Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood.
PHOTOS: A bitter cold snow day in Philadelphia
The snow was expected to fall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour from the I-95 corridor eastward, according to the National Weather Service.
- TIPS TO STAY WARM (AND SAFE)
- With the deep freeze continuing in the Philadelphia region, these American Red Cross tips can help you stay safe:
- Layer up! Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing your body heat.
- Don’t forget your furry friends. Bring pets indoors.
- Place space heaters on a level, hard surface and keep flammable items at least three feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
- Protect your pipes. Run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent your pipes from freezing.
- Keep thermostat at same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may increase, but you could avoid a more costly, burst-pipes repair.
- Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
- Use generators outside. Never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.
- More tips are available at on the Red Cross winter storm safety page.
The accumulations were lighter in Philadelphia and its northern and western suburbs. About 4.3 inches of snow was reported unofficially in Chadds Ford, Delaware County at noon, according to the weather service, which had predicted 4-8 inches of accumulation in those areas.
The Jersey Shore remains under a blizzard warning until 7 p.m. Thursday and a winter storm warning for the same period is in effect in Philadelphia, the western half of South Jersey, and the eastern parts of Chester and Montgomery counties, and Lower Bucks County.
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In Center City Philadelphia, snow continued to fall in early afternoon at a moderate clip – nearly horizontal as it was whipped around by the terrific winds. The snow was laying on all surfaces, no doubt aided by the extreme cold that has enveloped the region for well over a week.
About 16 miles to the north, in Eastern Montgomery County, the snow was falling at a moderate clip, with winds that howled only occasionally early picking up in intensity just hours later.
In addition, a wind chill advisory has been declared for the entire region from 1 a.m. Friday to noon Saturday as dangerously cold temperatures will sweep in behind the storm. Wind chills from 5 below to 15 below are expected, forecasters said.
Meanwhile, winds out of the north will gust as high as 40 mph – and as high as 60 mph along the coastline – will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow, especially on Friday. The frigid wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin.
The snow is expected to wind down by mid-to-late afternoon, but concerns remain through Friday and Saturday. Winds will increase through this morning and by later this afternoon will be generally 25 to 35, with gusts as high as 50 mph, forecasters said. Significant blowing and drifting snow, along with poor visibilities and very poor travel conditions, will result through the Thursday afternoon even after the snow ends.
As bad as it is here, the storm will move north and create greater havoc in New England and Atlantic Canada, where blizzard conditions and several feet of snow are expected in some places.
This story will be updated regularly throughout the day.