More than half a foot of snow piled up on some streets and yards across the area Tuesday morning leaving slippery conditions that closed schools and state offices.
Snow moved into South Jersey, Delaware, suburban Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley overnight. Before daybreak, slippery conditions were reported not only on side streets but also highways including the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) and U.S. Route 1 in Philadelphia.
Cold temps hindered crews trying to clear the road, said PennDOT spokesman Charlie Metzger. Crews wouldn't begin plowing until at least 1-1/2 fall, he said.
"Take it easy and just go slow today," said Metzger.
Crews started to get ahead of the snow after daybreak, said Metzger.
The National Weather Service's Winter Storm Warning expired later Tuesday morning as the storm left the region.
Hundreds of area schools closed or delayed opening Tuesday morning including Philadelphia public and parochial schools and Camden city schools that closed due to slippery conditions.
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The snow spread throughout the area early Tuesday as temps hovered in the teens before slowing down after daybreak.
The heaviest snowfall totals were expected for South Jersey and Delaware, while the Lehigh Valley and Pocono Mountains will get very little from the storm. By daybreak more than 6 inches had already fallen in some parts.
Motorists experienced icy conditions that caused them to slow down to avoid incidents.
"The roads are very slippery," said commuter "Rhonda" as she arrived for work in Center City.
In Delaware, Gov. Jack Markell closed state offices for nonessential employees.
"DelDOT crews are working hard this morning to clear Delaware's primary roads," said Markell. "While the snow will stop this morning, freezing conditions will remain throughout the day and some roads will remain treacherous ... because it does not appear that state facilities will be safe for employees and the public until some point late today, state offices will be closed. Other employers should evaluate for themselves whether and when their facilities will be safe and the status of road conditions in their vicinity."
By midmorning, Markell said roads had improved but that crews would continue to work to clear snow.
The State of New Jersey announced an 11 a.m. delayed opening for all nonessential employees at state offices Tuesday due to the snow. Essential employees should report to work on their regular schedule.
“I encourage all New Jerseyans to exercise caution as they drive ... and, if possible, to stay off the roads so our transportation crews can do their job," said Gov. Chris Christie.
Most SEPTA buses and trolleys operated on a normal weekday schedule Tuesday except for the Route 35 bus that was suspended due to icy condition. Regional Rail trains saw up to 20-minute delays and certain bus routes were detoured.
Visit the SEPTA website for more travel information including delays on Regional Rail lines.
Many area attractions delayed opening or closed due to the snow. The best bet is to call ahead to see if a location is open.
Once the storm moves out, some sun could shine later in the day Tuesday. Expect more Arctic cold to envelop the region, dropping temperatures to record levels once again later in the week. The First Alert Weather Team says the mercury could fall to levels even colder than over the weekend with record cold possible for Friday with temps hovering around zero.
Stay with the NBC10 First Alert Weather Team for the latest weather updates.
