PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It's been more than 700 days since the region saw significant snowfall, but we can soon reset that number to zero.
After a blustery week of storms, another one is on the horizon. This one is expected to hit the region late Monday night and could bring about 1 to 3 inches of snow, maybe more.
"Some places could be a little bit more," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Kerry Schwindenhammer. "And there could be some slippery travel conditions as well. This is a relatively fast-moving system, but nonetheless, it's cold enough that any snow that falls could cause some problems."
A winter weather advisory will take effect at 7 p.m. Monday and likely last through 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Schwindenhammer said snow is expected throughout the night and into the early morning. Then, there's a chance for more flurries or accumulation later in the week.
"There's another weak system that might move into the area on Thursday, bringing the chance for some snow," he said. "Right now, we think it's probably flurries in the afternoon [Thursday]. But then we're going to see another storm try to develop off the coast here Friday, and that system could certainly bring us some accumulation as well."
AAA Mid-Atlantic is urging drivers to keep a snow emergency kit in their cars — and if they already have one, make sure it's stocked.
"People get out of practice, especially during that first snow of the season," said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Jana Tidwell.
She said drivers should keep a shovel and extra road traction material on hand, like a bag of sand or kitty litter, which can be used to free a vehicle if it gets stuck. If you are stranded and waiting for help to arrive, it's useful to have things like flashlights, blankets, sweatshirts, gloves, nonperishable food, and drinking water.
If possible, drivers should stay off the roads during a winter storm altogether. Tidwell said AAA experiences an increase in calls for roadside assistance during these weather events. Priority is given to those stranded in the most dangerous conditions.
According to PennDOT, 180 state-owned trucks and more than 260 rental trucks are currently available to plow snow in the five-county Philadelphia area. (If you're really interested, you can track their locations at 511PA.com.)
At PennDOT's Regional Traffic Management Center in King of Prussia, supervisors will watch highway cameras to keep track of the progress of the storm.
"They'll just be consistently monitoring the roadways and sending reports in as conditions change," said PennDOT Community Relations Coordinator Robyn Briggs.
The priority is clearing the major roads including I-95, the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), and the Blue Route (I-476), Briggs said.
If you must hit the road, slow down and allow plenty of room between you and the vehicles around you.
"If you have to brake, please don't slam on your brakes," Tidwell advised. "Brake gradually. Having room between the cars around you will give you the room to do that. Be very careful on- and off-ramps, as they have a tendency to freeze over before the roads do."
"Primarily, we want to give road crews and emergency responders the room they need to do their jobs — to clear the roads, to help any stranded motorists who are out there. So if you can stay off the roads during this kind of weather event, please do so for your safety and the safety of others."
