PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Temperatures plunged and winds picked up across the Delaware Valley following the first significant snowfall of the season, raising concerns about icy sidewalks and secondary roads as residents prepared for the Monday morning commute.
PennDOT said state roads were pretreated and in good condition, with crews on standby overnight. Salt piles sat quiet late as officials monitored conditions.
Across the region, people shoveled, scraped and bundled up after several inches of snow fell.
“I just wear several different layers and try to dress appropriate,” said David Sims of Northeast Philadelphia.
Sims said the snowfall required significant cleanup at his home. “That was crazy. I had to shovel two cars out. It’s piled up full of snow,” he said.
Vehicles were dug out and cleaned off as temperatures and wind chills threatened to turn leftover moisture into ice.
In Norristown, strong winds brought down a tree, creating a hazardous situation in a neighborhood.
Lisa Walski said she encountered difficulties reaching her home.
“By the time we got here we couldn’t even get through,” she said. “The tree had pulled down there was a car underneath of it, taken the wires down but we didn’t lose power.”
Walski said she was preparing for more icy conditions. “Got salt out and getting ready for tonight,” she said, adding later, “Going up hills especially it’s slippery, you know, I take it slow even driving because the roads you think they’re all right but there’s ice still on them. You slide.”
Others welcomed the snowfall. “I love the snow it’s really fun to play around with,” one resident said.
For some, the winter weather came as a shock. Gina Rivert, who lives in Norristown and is from Miami, said she was unprepared for the cold and snow.
“It’s cold. For real. We have to live in this condition? I’m from Miami I’m not used to wearing shoes, I’m used to wearing flip-flops stuff like that,” Rivert said. “This is not the norm for me.”
Rivert said she was unsure how to deal with the snow-covered car. “This is new for us, I want to go out but I don’t even know how to start to clean my car. It’s crazy,” she said. “What do you do? I don’t know.”
Despite the challenges, she said safety would come first. “My daughter has to go to school in the morning, we’ll figure it out. If it’s too bad she just won’t go cause safety is better,” Rivert said.
As temperatures stayed low, thoughts of warmer places crossed some minds.
“Where would you rather be?” Sims was asked. “Florida!” he replied, adding, “Especially days like this.”
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.