PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- The work week is ending the way it started: with snow in the Philadelphia region. Snowfall was more widespread this time around. The storm has moved out of the area, leaving the highest accumulation in Bucks and Burlington counties, with 5 to 6 inches each. Northeast Philadelphia recorded about 4 inches.
PennDOT road crews were prepared with 120,000 tons of salt and more than 400 plow trucks in the region. With snow falling at a rate of one to two inches per hour, roads took some time to get clear.
By 7 a.m., most of the active snowfall had tapered off, leaving slushy and snow-packed conditions on area roads. In Delaware County there was accumulation along I-476 between Broomall and Villanova, covering the lines and forcing drivers to reduce speeds. There was a 45 mph restriction on the major highways, and most drivers were playing it safe.
The West Chester Pike was in decent shape through West Chester. While road crews continue plowing and salting, drivers will find varying conditions throughout their commutes.
Drivers are advised to be particularly careful on entrance and exit ramps, bridges and and elevated sections of road, where snow sticks more easily and which ice over most quickly.
In New Jersey, most of Monday's snowfall had melted before this winter storm hit overnight. Parts of New Jersey had close to 6 inches by 6:30 a.m. Road crews, though short-handed with COVID-19-related absences, were prepared for the accumulation.
Officials warned people to stay home if possible, and to give wide berth to plow trucks, but by 6 a.m., roads looked well-prepped, treated and plowed. The road was fairly clear along I-295 in South Jersey, and there were a surprising number of cars out. The mostly wet highway resembled full-blown, bumper-to-bumper rush hour.
Route 42 was among the clearest roads in South Jersey. By the time the storm had passed on, Routes 70 and 73 were okay but not great, though road conditions were improving by the minute. The Black Horse Pike was in such good shape that road crews were plowing the shoulder around 8 a.m.
Off the main roads, there was a heavy covering of snow on just about everything. Drivers may have a harder time getting out of their neighborhoods, where plows have not had a chance to do their work.
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