Winter storm slams Philadelphia region with heavy snowfall

SEPTA is making service adjustments due to the intensifying storm.

All bus routes will be suspended at 10 p.m.

The Center City Trolley Tunnel (T Lines) will close at 9 p.m.; however, trolleys will continue until the end of service Sunday night or until conditions warrant.

The D Line trolley is currently on bus substitution. Service Sunday night will end at 10 p.m., and train service will start in the morning, depending on conditions

M Line (Norristown High Speed Line): Trains will operate until the end of scheduled service.

Regional Rail: Service will operate until the end of the scheduled service on Sunday night.

Customers are urged to check for service updates on the Alerts section of SEPTA's website at www.septa.org/alerts.

The snow is starting to intensify across the Philadelphia region.

Visibility is about as good as it will get until mid-morning Monday. We have 1 mile in Philadelphia, a mile and a half in Allentown, and a 3/4 mile in Trenton and Reading.

"This is part of the reason why we're encouraging people to stay off the roads. It's not just the road conditions. It's the fact that you're not going to be able to see anything with the blowing snow moving down at a pretty fast clip," said Meteorologist Cecily Tynan.

AccuWeather: Snow intensifies; Blizzard Warning in effect

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.