AccuWeather: Blizzard 2016 is here

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Blizzard of 2016 has arrived.

Heavy snow, high winds, and flooding will be impacting our area all day.

Here is a look at the expected snowfall totals for cities around our region:

Philadelphia: 18" to 24"

Wilmington: 18" to 24"

Trenton: 12" to 18"

Allentown: 6" to 12"

Atlantic City: 3" to 6"

At the height of the storm, expect:

-Snow rates of 1" to 3" per hour

-Thundersnow in Philly and south

-Wind gusts of 40 to 65 mph

Blizzard Warnings have been posted in advance of the storm and remain in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday.

In Pennsylvania, the Blizzard Warning is posted for the following counties - Philadelphia; Delaware Co.; Eastern Chester; Eastern Montgomery; Lower Bucks

In New Jersey, the Blizzard Warning is posted for the following counties - Mercer; Middlesex; Somerset; Camden; Gloucester; Northwestern Burlington; Salem; Atlantic; Cumberland; Ocean; Southeastern Burlington; Western Monmouth.

In Delaware, the Blizzard Warning is posted for the following counties - New Castle; Kent.

A Blizzard Warning means to expect wind and gusts over 35 mph, snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mile or less and lasting three hours or longer.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Friday evening through Sunday morning in all other local areas, including Cape May County and northern suburbs including Berks County and the Lehigh Valley.

SATURDAY: Blizzard conditions are expected in counties touching I-95 and most of South Jersey and Delaware away from the coast. Heavy, blowing snow will reduce visibility to under 1/4 mile at times.

Most other areas are looking at significant snow and strong gusts, even if blizzard conditions aren't technically achieved.

Winds will gust between 40 and 60 mph through the day and night, with the higher winds toward the coast.

SATURDAY AT THE SHORE: Snow will mix with a lot of rain, keeping accumulations lower, perhaps 3-6". But the winds will gust up to 65 mph or more out of the northeast as the nor'easter passes by during the day. This, combined with a lunar high tide, will lead to serious coastal flooding and probable beach erosion.

SUNDAY: Snow will continue into early Sunday morning, but should taper off rather quickly, leaving us with a dry, windy and cold day with some drifting snow possible. High 34. Wind chills will be in the teens and 20s.

MONDAY: It's partly sunny with a seasonable high of 37.

TUESDAY: It's rather cloudy, but the high improves to 45.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny skies are likely with another relatively mild high of 40.

THURSDAY: We have mostly cloudy skies. There's a chance of some snow changing to rain. High 36.

FRIDAY: Clouds linger. The high is 38.