Philly Preps for Tuesday Snow, Rain

Although a mixture of snow and rain is projected, the City of Philadelphia prepped Monday for what could be a slick commute Tuesday morning.

The Street Department said city salt trucks prepared for an early deployment Tuesday morning to treat potentially slick roads roads. The projected wintry mix could leave some roads slippery during rush hour. The city said it planned to concentrate on  "primary roads, bridges and areas of high elevation where slippery spots develop, and will be monitoring for snow and icy conditions."

The National Weather Service predicts precipiation—in the form of rain and snow—between 4 and 8 a.m. Tuesday. In the morning, there is an 80 percent chance of precipitation, with less than 1 inch of snow projected.

In a news release, Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson said:

“Be mindful of black ice on the roadways which can be deceiving to the eye and appear as just moisture. Even after the snow mixture ends the roads could still have black ice on them.”

For a safe journey through the storm, the city advised people to:

• Allow extra time while driving and maintain safe driving distances 
• Use caution when navigating over bridges and overpasses where slippery spots may develop
• Avoid sudden stops and starts 
• Remove ice and snow from windows, mirrors and all vehicle lights 
• Use low beams during heavy or blowing snow 
• Stay tuned to local media for further updates for weather and traffic reports. 

Additionally, citizens are urged to pretreat surfaces and apply de-icers early after any snowfall.

For more information, visit the city's website or contact the Streets Department’s Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560.