Winter storm slams Philadelphia region with heavy snowfall

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, under the Division of the New Jersey State Police, has issued a mandatory travel restriction beginning 9:00 p.m. Sunday.

All non-exempt vehicles are prohibited from operating on state, county, municipal, and interstate roadways during this period.

The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.

Violators may face penalties under state law.

The following vehicles are exempt from the restriction:

-Emergency and public safety vehicles and personnel
-Public works and snow removal crews
-Public transportation vehicles and personnel
-Government officials conducting official business
-Utility company vehicles and personnel
-Healthcare workers and urgent medical travel
-Personnel supporting emergency shelter operations and human services facilities
-Delivery of critical medical supplies and services to healthcare facilities
-News media
-Private snow removal contractors
-Patients seeking urgent critical care and their escorts
-Travel necessary to maintain critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, fuel, food, pharmacies, and hardware stores
-Personnel supporting airline and airport operations

Officials from PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission implemented vehicle restrictions in anticipation of a winter storm that could bring up to a foot of snow to parts of the state.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:

• Interstates 76, 95, 295, 476, 676.

• U.S. Routes 1, 30, 202, 422.

• State Routes 63, 100 Spur and 309.

In addition, the following vehicle restrictions also went into effect at 6 p.m. Sunday in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth's weather event vehicle restriction plan.

-I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway section) entire length.
-I-78 entire length.
-I-80 from I-81 to New Jersey.
-I-84 entire length.
-I-95 entire length.
-I-295 entire length.
-I-380 entire length.
-I-476 entire length.
-I-676 entire length.
-Route 33 entire length.
-U.S. 22 from I-78 to New Jersey.
-PA Turnpike I-95 entire length
-PA Turnpike I-276 entire length.
-PA Turnpike Northeast Extension I-476 entire length.

On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. All school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are also not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.

A Snow Emergency for the City of Philadelphia went into effect at 4 p.m.

Snow Emergency Routes

A snow emergency means all vehicles must be moved from snow emergency routes. Otherwise, they could be ticketed or towed.

For a list of routes, and for information on what to do if your car gets towed, visit this page at Phila.gov.

RELATED: Blizzard Warning for part of the area; heavy snow expected for Philadelphia region | Live Updates

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) will offer a flat 24-hour $5 discounted parking rate at the following Center City garages, beginning at 9 a.m. on Sunday, February 22, and continuing until the Snow Emergency is lifted:

-AutoPark at Independence Mall (5th & Market Streets)

-AutoPark at Jefferson (10th & Ludlow Streets)

-AutoPark at the Fashion District (10th & Filbert Streets)

-AutoPark at Old City (2nd & Sansom Streets)

-Parkade on 8th (801 Filbert Street)

To receive the discounted $5 rate, customers must bring their parking ticket and pay at the PPA Management Office in each garage.

Meter/kiosk and time limit violations on residential blocks will not be enforced until the Snow Emergency is lifted.

Remote Learing for Philly Schools

Students in the School District of Philadelphia will learn virtually on Monday. District buildings will be closed.

All after-school activities, including all athletic programs and professional development sessions scheduled for Monday, are also canceled.

City Offices Closed

All City of Philadelphia administrative office buildings and Courts will be closed to the public on Monday, February 23, 2026.

This includes nonessential City residential services for L&I, Revenue and Water Revenue in the Municipal Services Building, Neighborhood Community Action Centers, among other city agencies.

Philadelphia courts will also be closed

Sanitation Schedule Changes

Trash pickup will be suspended on Monday and Tuesday, and then delayed by two days throughout the week. Rear driveway trash collections are suspended.

Second trash collection is suspended in areas of the city that typically receive it during the week. There will be one collection only throughout the week.

Residents who can't hold their trash can drop it off at one of the city's six sanitation convenience centers, open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A list of sites is available at Phila.gov/Sanitation.

Residents can find updates at Phila.gov/Sanitation.

SEPTA:

Riders are advised to allow extra time for safe travel and check SEPTA.org/alerts for the latest information.

SEPTA will notify riders of any service delays, detours or suspended routes via our website, alerts and the app when information becomes available. For more information on how to prepare for schedule changes, detours and suspensions visit SEPTA.org.

PHL International Airport:

Travelers and those picking up travelers are encouraged to check their flight status and road conditions before leaving for the airport on Sunday and Monday. Call your airline, get updates at 1-800-PHL-GATE (745-4283), or check the PHL International Airport website, PHL.org. The airport has snow removal planned for the duration of the event.

Snow Removal

Two melters will be brought in to assist with clearing effort, Philadelphia city officials said.

At the peak of the storm, city officials said there will be 1,000 personnel and 800 pieces of equipment on duty.

The snow is starting to fall across parts of the region.

Video shared with Action News shows flakes falling in North Wildwood and Ocean City.

In addition to the snow, the shore will also see blizzard conditions, coastal flooding and beach erosion due to the storm.