Philadelphia, South Jersey and the Jersey Shore are feeling the effects of the highly anticipated “bomb cyclone” that is dropping several inches of snow across the region.
Philadelphia public and Archdiocesan schools closed their doors Thursday as a result of the storm, while SEPTA and NJ Transit are experiencing delays and detours. Some roads were treated for morning commuters, but others were difficult to navigate. More than 200 flights out of Philadelphia International Airport have been cancelled.
The storm has far exceeded the criterion for “bombogenesis,” said Robert Oravec, senior forecaster at the government’s Weather Prediction Center, outside Washington, where only about an inch of snow had fallen. He said the storm would keep intensifying for the next several hours.
For a bomb, the barometric pressure — a measure of the weight of the air — has to fall by about three-quarters of an inch in 24 hours. In this case it has dropped about an inch just since 7 p.m. Wednesday, he said.
The Jersey Shore is getting the worst of it, with up to 18 inches of snow expected in some areas, along with gale-force gusts. By mid-morning, 11 inches already had fallen upon Northfield, and the National Weather Service reported gusts of more than 50 mph. Amounts were more modest inland, with up to three inches reported in the immediate Philadelphia area.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has declared a state of emergency in Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
Overnight snow that continued to fall dumped about six inches of snow driven nearly horizontal by persistent winds at the Shore. Snow continued to accumulate along beach blocks and boardwalks.
“It’s pretty bad right now, appears to be four to six inches, and the winds are 30 mile-per-hour winds,” said Atlantic City Fire Chief Scott Evans. “It’s a northeast wind right now, but it’s going to be switching.”
Evans said visibility is less than a block in Atlantic City, where many cars were getting stuck on the roads.
when snow and sands are both driven by winds toward the ocean you get this pretty picture on the Jersey beach. #bombogenesis pic.twitter.com/rjSJ2F54M8
— Amy S. Rosenberg (@amysrosenberg) January 4, 2018
On Long Beach Island, police in Harvey Cedars reported white-out and blizzard-like conditions and the beginning of beach erosion typical of a nor’easter.
“We do have beach erosion that is occurring right now,” said Patrolman Tim Butler, broadcasting on Facebook Live as he and Officer Benjamin Mrozinski drove up a snowy Long Beach Boulevard.
“The waves are basically almost crashing into the bottom of the dunes,” he said. “So that cliff that everybody knows after a nor’easter with the beach erosion is forming right now. There is zero need to be up on the beach. That’s extremely dangerous right now.”
In Ventnor, Police Chief Doug Biagi said persistent wind-driven snow drifts were building up to more than two feet in places.
“As quick as they plow, the snow drifts are building back up,” Biagi said.
He advised residents against venturing out to shovel or use snowblowers at this point.
“It’s frigid, and the snow building is so quick,” he said. “It’s useless to plow. As soon as they’re done, it’ll just blow back. Best thing to do is stay inside right now.”
He said all emergency services and public works in the shore town were functioning with no major issues outside of a few downed or arcing wires.
“Nothing major,” he said. “Vehicles are getting stuck all over in the snow drifts.
“It is tying up valuable resources to move them out of the way,” he said.
Police advised staying off the roads.
yikes from Inquirer photographer Liz Robertson on the fourth floor of Tropicana parking garage. pic.twitter.com/2uTFdzAztV
— Amy S. Rosenberg (@amysrosenberg) January 4, 2018
Driving snow under a Boardwalk streetlight in Ventnor, N.J. @phillydotcom pic.twitter.com/FgOJLG0ugB
— Amy S. Rosenberg (@amysrosenberg) January 4, 2018
In North Wildwood, with a year-round population of about 5,000, Mayor Patrick Rosenello said drifting snow was already more than a foot deep in places, and that driving, howling winds were contributing to conditions he described as “pretty intense.”
“I don’t know if it’s officially blizzard conditions, but it certainly looks it,” he said. “Thankfully, no reports of power outages. That’s probably the biggest concern I have.”
He said the recreation center was staffed “in case we do have to move people out of their homes,” he said. “We’ve been out there since 11 last night with equipment. With the wind, it’s kind of a losing battle.”
We will be going live for an update at 10am, pending no calls for service, on Instagram and Facebook #harveycedars #winterstormgrayson #blizzard2018 @ChiefBurnaford @TheSandPaperLBI pic.twitter.com/OHVe6U7QTL
— Harvey Cedars Police (@HCPolice) January 4, 2018
In Pennsylvania, road conditions vary, with major highways wet, snow-covered or snow-packed, PennDOT spokesperson Brad Rudolph said. Winds are causing poor visibility.
“Drivers should use caution, especially with their speed and following distance if they have to travel,” Rudolph said in an email Thursday morning.
The Schuylkill. pic.twitter.com/uolfr5YVVa
— T.J. Furman (@tj_furman) January 4, 2018
Made it safely from #Perkasie to #Lansdale driving. Roads all around are generally snow covered and slippery in spots. Estimate about 1-2” on the ground. Now on @SEPTA Rails into #Philadelphia – plenty of seats!! @PerkasieCitizen @karenrogers6abc
— David Reed (@MSensei1) January 4, 2018
Roads are not looking so good in Manayunk, drivers having trouble getting up hilly streets. More during our extra c… https://t.co/ym9q4T4Yhy
— Philadelphia Now (@PhiladelphiaCP) January 4, 2018
Rudolph said PennDOT had sent about 400 trucks out to plow and salt major arteries.
“Our crews will be out for the duration of this storm and beyond cleaning up more than 27,000 miles of state highways,” he said.
Staff writers Amy S. Rosenberg, Anthony R. Wood and Patricia Madej contributed to this report.
This story will be updated. Check back for the latest.
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