Snow, rain, deep freeze in store for Philly region this week; City declares a “Code Blue”

The Philadelphia region will get rain, snow, and then a stretch of brutal cold this week, forecasters said Monday.

Anticipating harsh conditions, the city on Monday declared a “code blue” until further notice. Outreach teams were deployed to get homeless people into shelters.

Expected snow accumulations, however, do not appear to be significant except in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where a winter storm warning was set to take effect Tuesday morning.

According to the National Weather Service, a mix of rain and snow was expected on Tuesday into the night in Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey. A winter weather advisory was in place starting at 4 a.m. Tuesday.

“Be prepared for slippery roads and walkways. The hazardous conditions could impact both the morning and evening commutes,” the weather service said in its advisory.

Projected snow accumulations ranged from less than an inch in South Jersey to one to two inches in Philadelphia and up to six inches in places north and west of the city. The Poconos could see up to eight inches.

The bulk of the precipitation was expected on Tuesday afternoon and early evening, forecasters said.

Come Wednesday, “periods of strong, gusty winds and scattered snow squalls are possible … as an arctic cold front moves through,” the weather service said.

The overnight low Wednesday in Philadelphia was expected to be around 7 degrees with the daytime high Thursday only rising to about 16. Wind chills will be below zero.

There was a slight chance of snow on Friday.