PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A major winter storm brought more than a foot of snow to Philadelphia and many other communities in the region, just as the snow from the last storm finally started to melt.
Snow totals even topped 20 inches in spots as a nor'easter struck the region Sunday and lingered well into Monday.
The storm will go down in the record books from Philadelphia north to Boston.
In Philadelphia, we officially received 14 inches of snow, placing this storm as our 17th largest on record.
A jackpot of 18-24" of snow was found in northern Burlington County and northern Ocean County, up toward New York City.
None of our reporting sites officially met the definition of blizzard conditions, but from Newark, NJ, up into Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, many locations have achieved blizzard conditions with a record snowfall of 32.8" in Providence.
When temperatures drop into the low to mid 20s overnight, this means a freeze of any untreated surfaces that will create icy spots for the morning.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed a disaster declaration proclamation on Sunday ahead of the winter storm.
The disaster declaration allows the Commonwealth to quickly draw down funding and provide state agencies with the resources needed to assist counties and municipalities with response efforts.
The governor urged Pennsylvanians to stay off the road as the storm intensifies through the evening.
New Jersey Department of Transportation will lower all posted speed limits to 35 miles per hour on Interstate and State highways in New Jersey starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 22.
The speed limit reduction applies to:
-All Interstate highways in New Jersey
-All U.S. and State highways in New Jersey
-The New Jersey Turnpike
-The Garden State Parkway
-The Atlantic City Expressway
Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a State of Emergency based on the forecast for heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions statewide Sunday, February 22 and Monday, February 23, which could make driving conditions treacherous.
NJDOT said the speed limit reduction is being made out of an abundance of caution.
A previously announced commercial vehicle travel restriction also will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday for the following highways:
-I-76 (entire length)
-I-78 (entire length)
-I-80 (entire length)
-I-195 (entire length)
-I-280 (entire length)
-I-287 (entire length)
-I-295 (entire length)
-I-676 (entire length)
-NJ Route 440 (both directions from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287)
The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:
-All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
-Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
-Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
-Recreational vehicles
-Motorcycles
This restriction DOES NOT apply to:
-The New Jersey Turnpike
-The Garden State Parkway
-The Atlantic City Expressway
-Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food.
Governor Matthew Meyer has declared a State of Emergency for Delaware as of 12 p.m. Sunday in anticipation of the impending winter storm.
The State of Emergency will allow for the mobilization of statewide resources needed to prepare for and respond to this storm, including the activation of the Delaware National Guard.
"I'm declaring a State of Emergency and activating every available state resource to ensure Delawareans are protected as this blizzard blankets our communities, including increased risks for coastal flooding," Meyer said in a statement. "Prepare now, please stay off the roads once the storm begins, and look out for your neighbors. We will continue working around the clock to keep every Delawarean safe."
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) has been activated at an Enhanced Watch level since Saturday morning in advance of the upcoming winter snowstorm and is slated for Full Activation beginning Sunday at 5 p.m.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Blizzard Warning for all of Delaware into Monday.
More than a foot of snow could fall across the state, and Meyer said widespread closures and impacts to infrastructure likely.
The governor said Delawareans should also anticipate the issuance of state-mandated Driving Restrictions.
He said the three levels of Driving Restrictions are designed to keep motorists and emergency responders safe by minimizing nonessential travel during periods of severe weather and perilous road condition
-Level 1 Driving Warning - Avoid traveling on roadways, unless there is a significant safety, health, or business reason to do so. All motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution.
-Level 2 Driving Restriction - No person may operate a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways, except for persons designated as "essential personnel." Travel on roadways restricted to essential personnel; emergency workers, first responders, health care and designated persons already approved through DEMA's State of Emergency Driving Waiver Program.
-Level 3 Driving Ban - Travel on roadways restricted to emergency workers, first responders, health care workers, utility workers, snow removal operators, or private sector flood and fuel deliveries.
DEMA urges the public to sign up for the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS) at de.gov/dens for updates on hazardous conditions, and to prepare homes and vehicles today ahead of the incoming storm.
The recommendations are to stock up on household essentials including non-perishable food and water, prescription medications, first aid supplies, flashlights, batter- powered radios and more, and to check in with elderly neighbors and relatives to ensure all have a plan for safety.
Automotive preparedness includes a full tank of gas, topped off fluids, working breaks and wipers, jumper cables, blankets, scrapers and the like. Visit PrepareDE.org for full lists of emergency items for the home and car. Follow DelDOT's traffic advisory radio stations, WTMC, for streaming updates from WTMC Radio 1380AM and 98.5 FM. Listen to WTMC through the DelDOT app. which provides real-time updates on roadway and transit conditions.
The storm is expected to bring between 12 and 18 inches of snow to coastal areas and parts of interior South Jersey and Delaware.
Philadelphia, many Pa. suburbs, along with the rest of interior south Jersey and Delaware are expected to get between 8" and 12" of snow.
The rest of the viewing area is expected to see between 4" and 8" of snow.
