Latest Snowfall Puts Us In The Record Books
By Steve Strouss
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Winter of 2013-2014 is in the history books. Our latest blast from Mother Nature Tuesday morning brings the season snowfall total in Philadelphia above 58.4" and it is now officially our third snowiest winter ever.
This is not a record many of us are bragging about. We had those opportunities in 1995-1996 when 65.5" fell on the city and more recently in 2009-2010 when notable storms like "Snowmageddon" and "Snowpocalypse" helped pile up the all time season record to 78.7" in Philadelphia.
Despite few blockbuster storms this winter, Philadelphia has received 11 storms that produced at least 1" of snow. This ties just two other seasons since records have been kept in the late 1800s. The average number of storms that produce at least 1" of snow per season in Philadelphia is just five.
This latest snow comes with terrible timing. Morning commuters are navigating snow covered roads and poor visibility. Speed restrictions are in place for area highways because of slippery conditions, so give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination.
A total of 2-4" is expected for Philadelphia and surrounding PA counties. Lesser amounts of 1-2" is forecasted across southern NJ and central DE because snow is mixing with rain. This system is a fast mover and will be out of the region later this morning allowing for some clearing and milder temperatures this afternoon.
Storms have been coming with rapid fire this season, but it looks like we will finally catch a break from the wintry madness later this week. Temperatures will climb into the low 40s today and climb above normal values by tomorrow into the upper 40s. By the weekend we are forecasting temperatures in the 50s!
Milder temperatures will help the snow melt, but this creates another concern because with rain in the forecast on Wednesday and Friday, there could be some flooding. We will certainly keep an eye on that but at least no more snow is in the forecast during the next 5 days.
2013-2014 Philadelphia Winter Storms:
1. Dec 8, 2013 8.6"
2. Dec. 10, 2013 2.2"
3. Dec. 14, 2013 .3"
4. Dec 17, 2013 .1"
5. Jan 2-3, 2014 9"
6. Jan 21, 2014 13.5"
7. Jan 25-26, 2014 2.4"
8. Jan 29, 2014 1.0"
9. Feb 3, 2014 3.5"
10. Feb 9, 2014 2.7"
11. Feb 12-13, 2014 11.5"
12. Feb 15, 2014 .6"
13. Feb 18, 2014 3.0"
TOTAL 58.4"
Third SNOWIEST Winter Ever
Snowiest Philadelphia Winters
1. 2009 - 2010 78.7"
2. 1995 - 1996 65.5"
3. 2013 - 2014 58.4"
Steve
