The National Weather Service snowfall forecast for today — showing much of the county expected to get between 8 and 12 inches.
No, really it’s coming.
Although it might be tempting to assume that like a couple of weeks ago, the nor’easter hitting the area today is more sound than fury, forecasters still say that a foot or more of snow could fall on Chester County today.
As of Wednesday morning, much of the area is covered by a light combination of snow and ice, with a layer of ice covering most surfaces. While some freezing rain is expected to continue this morning, it is expected to switch to snow, heavy at time before midday, that National Weather Service said in its 5 a.m. briefing, Wednesday.
Snow could fall at rates as high as 2 to 3 inches per hour, with winds picking up as the day goes on.
Most of Chester County can expect between eight and 12 inches of snow, while the northeast corner of the county may see between 12 and 18 inches of snow before the storm tapers off in the early morning hours Thursday.
The snow will be wet and heavy and likely to collect on tree branches and wires. Power outages across the area are likely. As of Wednesday morning PECO was reporting less than a dozen outages across the county, but that number is likely to increase as the weather worsens.
Schools and government offices across the county are closed. SCOOT and Link Bus services is suspended. Chester County Emergency Services is advising residents that if they do not have to go out today, to stay home — in part because roads are expected to be dangerous and in part to make it easier for local road crews to clear highways.
They also advise charging all portable electronic devices, such as phones and tablets in case the power goes out.
Temperatures are expected to rebound into the 40s by Thursday, which should lead to fairly rapid melting of the snow over the next week or so, forecasters said.
