Major Winter Storm Shuts Down Philadelphia And New Jersey

As a formidable winter storm barrels toward the Philadelphia region, residents and businesses across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are bracing for what forecasters warn could be the biggest snow event in over a decade. With snow totals predicted to reach up to 18 inches in some areas, the approaching system is already causing widespread disruptions and prompting urgent warnings from officials.

The National Weather Service (NWS) and local meteorologists have issued a First Alert weather warning, effective from 11 p.m. Friday, January 23, through 7 a.m. Monday, January 26, 2026, for Philadelphia, its suburbs, South Jersey, and Delaware. According to NBC10, this alert comes as an arctic blast sweeps through the region, bringing not just heavy snow but also sleet, freezing rain, and frigid temperatures. Saturday morning is expected to be the coldest of the season, with temperatures plunging into the single digits and wind chills making it feel even colder.

The snow is forecast to begin in Bucks County and the greater Philadelphia area as early as 1 a.m. Sunday. By early morning, 1 to 3 inches could have already accumulated, with the heaviest snowfall expected between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., according to phillyburbs.com. The NWS projects 8 to 12 inches for most of Bucks County, with the far northern reaches possibly seeing 12 to 18 inches. Accuweather offers a slightly more conservative estimate, predicting 6 to 10 inches in some spots. Meanwhile, the Lehigh Valley could see 13 to 18 inches, the Philadelphia region 9 to 13 inches, South Jersey 5 to 9 inches, and coastal Delaware and the Jersey Shore 3 to 5 inches.

But it’s not just the snow that has officials concerned. After the initial burst of heavy snow, the system is expected to transition to a mix of sleet and freezing rain by early Sunday afternoon, creating hazardous travel conditions and raising the risk of widespread power outages. "There is high confidence in major impacts from snowfall, sleet, and ice accumulations across much of the area, making travel very difficult, and potentially resulting in widespread closures and infrastructure impacts," the NWS stated in its Saturday morning briefing.

In anticipation of the storm, Philadelphia officials have declared a snow emergency effective Saturday at 9 p.m. All School District of Philadelphia schools will be closed on Monday, January 26, as reported by NBC10. Bucks County schools, while not officially closed as of Friday, have issued advisories for possible remote learning or traditional snow days, with final decisions expected late Sunday night. The Pennsbury School District, for example, urged students to bring laptops and materials home, stating, "Our goal is to hold in-person classes if possible; this includes the possibility of a delayed opening. However, we are preparing for remote learning as a precaution." Other districts, including Central Bucks and Pennridge, sent similar alerts.

New Jersey is also taking decisive action. Governor Mikie Sherrill announced a State of Emergency during a Saturday news conference and urged motorists to stay off the roads from late Saturday through Sunday. The New Jersey Department of Transportation issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction starting at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, January 25. This order covers all tractor trailers, empty straight CDL-weighted trucks, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles. Exemptions apply for vehicles carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies, as well as utility vehicles, public safety, and essential personnel. The restriction impacts major highways including I-76, I-78, I-80, I-195, I-280, I-287, I-295, I-676, and NJ Route 440, but notably does not apply to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, or Atlantic City Expressway.

For local businesses, especially restaurants, the timing of the storm could not be worse. Center City District Restaurant Week, a major event for Philadelphia’s dining scene, is underway. Ben Fileccia, senior vice president of strategy and engagement for the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, painted a grim picture of the economic impact. "I would anticipate revenue loss of tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars for Philadelphia restaurants over the next few days," Fileccia told Billy Penn. Small restaurants might lose around $5,000 a day, while larger establishments could see daily losses of up to $20,000.

Many restaurateurs are scrambling to adapt. Kareem McCafferty, president of The Schulson Collective, which oversees popular spots like Alpen Rose and Double Knot, said the group will prioritize safety and may close depending on conditions. "For diners, we encourage them to check our websites, [and] more so social channels for the most up-to-date information," he advised. Reservations canceled due to weather will not be penalized, and efforts will be made to rebook guests when possible, though prime slots may be hard to secure.

Other restaurant owners are taking preemptive action. Henry Chow, general manager of Sang Kee in Chinatown, said, "We’ve actually already called all of them. We preemptively canceled it because we don’t like to let people down." Chow explained that they plan to order fewer ingredients, especially perishable items like duck, to avoid waste in case of closure.

Still, some establishments are determined to stay open, come what may. Paul Puma, co-owner of Ants Pants on South Street, said, "We will open. This is the livelihood of a lot of our employees." He noted that Philadelphia’s walkability and a loyal neighborhood clientele might help keep business afloat, even if at half capacity. Chef Andrew Henshaw at Jaffe Bar echoed this sentiment, saying, "Closing was definitely discussed. But we just kind of thought and hoped that the people that are closest in proximity to us, and hope that they want to come and hang out at Jaffe." Henshaw reminisced about snow days as opportunities for community and comfort: "A snow day was always a really fun time to just get together with a few friends and go somewhere cozy — grab some food, grab some drinks, just kind of hang out."

Delivery services face their own hurdles. Nano Wheedan, owner of Taco Heart in South Philly, said, "So much of our business is DoorDash and Uber Eats. I think a lot of people are going to try [ordering in], because they’re not going to want to leave their houses, but that’s something that we might have to turn off because it’s just not possible." Wheedan added, "This week is gonna stink. This is bad. This is not good, and January is already really tough. So this is just adding insult to injury. But, you know, we have to zoom out and make up for it later on somehow."

Meanwhile, residents are flocking to hardware stores to stock up on winter essentials. At Fisher’s Ace Hardware in Plumstead, co-manager Rachel Bouc told phillyburbs.com, "People have been coming in since Tuesday. This is the busiest we’ve ever been. We’re already out of ice melt, propane heaters, kerosene heaters and shovels, but we have a shipment coming in later today." Some, like Buckingham resident Anita Keck, remain undeterred by the shortages, expressing a fondness for winter weather despite the challenges.

With heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain on the horizon, officials urge everyone to stay informed, plan ahead, and prioritize safety. As Ben Fileccia advised, "If you don’t think you’re going to be coming into town, give that restaurant notice. Cancel appropriately ahead of time." For those looking to support local businesses, he suggested, "It doesn’t hurt to buy a gift card. It’s an interest-free micro loan to the restaurant that you love and to the hospitality team that treats you so great."

As the region hunkers down for a historic winter storm, the coming days will test the resilience and resourcefulness of both communities and businesses—reminding everyone that even in the face of adversity, a little preparation and neighborly spirit can go a long way.