First, pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekends storm. Our nbc 10 meteorologist, could be the worst since superstorm sandy. The snowstorm could cause 1 billion in damage along the east coast and the storm is blamed for four deaths in other parts of the country. Lets begin with meteorologist bill henley with the first alert forecast. As you mentioned a first alert has been issued for later today and tomorrow, now into early sunday morning. The worst will come through saturday, a blizzard watch for much of the area. Very heavy snow through the day saturday, 10plus inches and emphasis on the plus for much of the region. You mentioned the major coastal flooding that will come with strong gusty winds. Dry now, it will stay dry through the day today. The first of the snow will arrive late this afternoon and this evening in southern and central delaware. The storm system is well to our southwest, the snow now moving into the carolinas and western virginia. Thats the beginning of the snow. Its reached the colder air, look at all of the moisture moving through eastern alabama and into georgia. That is coming our way later today. The futurecast shows that through the day today youll be able to get out and about, get things done. But late this afternoon and this evening the snow will be falling, you can see the snow right over delaware and south jersey at 9 00 this evening and light snow just beginning at 9 00 this evening in philadelphia. During the day today, plenty of time to get out and make preparations for later on. Well start with clear skies. Youll see sunshine, dont let that fool you. Clouds will be increasing this morning, 27 degrees at 9 00 and up to 30 degrees its going to be a chillier day today than it was yesterday at noon time, increasing clouds with a little breeze at 8 miles an hour. Much stronger winds will accompany the storms, were going to take a closer look at that and the impact at the shore when i come back in 10 minutes. Right now Jessica Boyington is watching your traffic. Thats right, bill. We have pretty empty roadways now, on 295 out in west deptford around 130 no problems either direction. Over the bridges should be fine for now from 42 freeway to the delaware Memorial Bridge heading into delaware, from new jersey the 22minute drive time no problems there. There is also construction to watch for on 295 southbound, the ramp to the 42 freeway is closed at least to get to 42 northbound that will be until about 5 00 so at least an hour before that starts to clean up. The rest of the drive times, no problems into center city and the blue route southbound from the schuylkill to 95 a 14minute trip. Its 4 03. Travel on the roads and in the air will be impacted once the snow starts falling. And plans are in place to keep drivers and air travelers safe during the storm. Katy zachry is live at Philadelphia International airport with more information. Reporter hi, tracy. Were at Philadelphia International airport where were talking with airport officials about their plan that is in place for the dozens if not hundreds of travelers who could be stranded here. First lets talk about the roads. Roads like this one even locally here at the airport and your area many have been brined. Lets begin south of us in delaware where we caught up with drivers, brining the roads ahead of the storm. They issued reminder saying the storm is going to be a long event, they will not get to everyone in need right away. Now, they will begin with major interstates, then primary road, then clear local roads. Its the secondary roads that have some in philadelphia worried. Some street there is are not wide enough for even two cars to pass down let alone a big plow to clear. Coming up in the next half hour were reaching out to new Jersey Department of transportation to find out what their detailed plan is for road preparation and clearing once the snow begins, and well have more on what the airport is doing throughout the morning. Were live at philly international. Philadelphia officials could declare a snow emergency as early as today in preparation for the storm. This is the first big weather event for new mayor jim kenney, when the snow hits major thoroughfares will be the first priority, then a challenge of philadelphias smaller narrow streets. Were going to get to the small streets as we have in the past, we have smaller vehicles with smaller plows that are capable of doing that. And again, i lived on a small street for, oh, god, almost 40 years, i know what its like and how frustrating it can be. The city has 400 plows and more than 600 workers ready to hit the streets. Amtrak is making changes ahead of this weekends snowstorm. Here is a live look at 30th street station. Northeast regional and services will operate with modified schedules and fewer trains, same for keystone between harrisburg and new york. For today, most northeast Corridor Service between washington, d. C. And boston will operate as scheduled. Later this morning well learn about changes that septa will make to its service this weekend. Septa officials will hold a briefing at 9 30 this morning. Well bring you that and on our app. Now, people at the jersey shore are doing what they can now hoping to protect their homes and businesses. Three rounds of high tides could batter the shore throughout the storm, starting tomorrow morning. In ocean city, crews are building makeshift dunes to help hold back the ocean. The storm is expected to bring moderate to major coastal flooding, potentially the worst since hurricane sandy. I look forward to seeing it, yes, just because we all like seeing nature at its fury. The challenge were going to face is the back base flooding on top of the snow. Officials remind residents to bring in Outdoor Furniture and garbage cans so they dont become airborne in high winds and move cars out of flood prone areas and urge people not to call 911 for updates on the weather. Matt delucia is on his way to the shore. Well check with him in our next half hour. Its 4 07, 24 degrees. Utilities across our region are preparing. Peco is calling in backup to respond, tonight 2400 peco employees are on standby. 500 contractors will be stationed across the service area ready to respond. Your local contractorsnd a support from as far as chicago. Peco says heavy wet snow and high winds expected with this storm can snap tree branches and bring down power lines. You can report a power outage or downed line at peco. Com or call. 18008414141. Program that or your local utility in your cell phone now. Some of those are on the screen. Find all of the numbers of all area utilities on our nbc 10 app or on nbc10. Com. As you prepare make sure you have the free nbc 10 app. It features the latest forecasts hour by hour live radar, blogs from first alert chief meteorologist Glenn Schwartz and live cameras from our skycam networks so you can see what its doing. You can also sign up for weather alerts and notifications about School Closings and delays. Eight minutes after 4 00, the temperatures have cooled down in the teens and 20s this morning. But its whats coming tonight that is the main concern, were tracking the first major winter storm of the season. With near blizzard conditions expected during the day on saturday. The worst of it comes through on saturday. And that can be said for coastal areas as well. New jersey and delaware, major coastal flooding is a big threat as we head into the storm. 19 degrees in allentown, northeast philadelphia clear at 20 and 21 in Atlantic City. Well stay clear to start with and these temperatures will climb to near freezing this afternoon. Probably hit the freezing mark in philadelphia. Not much warmer than that. That sets the stage for the storm to start moving in this evening. Dry through the day today. But this evening the snow starts moving up from the north and the wind will be increasing too. Right now its calm in pottstown, trenton, millville, not a wind chill problem this morning. But look what happens as the day goes on. Fairly light at 11 00 this morning, 4mileanhour breeze in philadelphia. Not that strong at 7 00 this evening for philadelphia but you can see the winds starting to increase in delaware and south jersey. Thats at 7 00 in the evening. By Early Saturday Morning look at the winds, gusting to 40 miles an hour at the shore for Atlantic City and cape may. The threat of flooding with those winds will continue for much of the day on saturday. You can see a 50mileanhour reading in there at the shore. And with strong winds inland and heavy snow through the day on saturday, we will experience near blizzard conditions on saturday. So stand by for some very heavy weather coming in tonight and tomorrow. Satellite shows we are completely clear right now. But pull back a bit you see the clouds just moving into West Virginia and virginia. Today during the day youll be able to get out and about and get things done. Dry conditions during the day, 32 degrees this afternoon in allentown, up to 33 for reading and around freezings for quakertown. Not much wind during the day for doylestown, trenton and mount holly. The wind will be ramping up at the shore. Increasing clouds, cape may, rehobeth and dover falling short of the freezing mark during the day. So its going to be all snow to begin with first thing this evening in delaware and coming up the i95 corridor during the evening hours. During the day, 32 degrees in drexel hill and philadelphia, up to 33 in wilmington. Well talk numbers, how much snow you can expect in your area when im back in 10 minutes. Bill, thanks for that. 11 past 4 00 now. Lets check the roads including the schuylkill expressway. Jessica boyington can tell you what youll face. Tracy, were on the schuylkill expressway right now and the calm before the storm, the roads are dry. Montgomery drive, no problems behind me as you can see, all from this four alarm fire locust between 22nd and 21st and well watch for icy conditions in the surrounding area. 422 great as well. You can see here, 8 minutes east from 29 to the schuylkill expressway, only 8 minutes so no delays yet. Once it starts snowing you probably should forget hitting the roads unless you absolutely have to and when you can drive safely, make sure its not like this. Seriously. Look at this picture. Hear what police told the driver of this snow covered car. Dont forget your best friend. Advice about keeping pets safe during the snow. Mike . Janet . Cough if you can hear me. Dont even think about it. I took mucinex dm for my phlegmy cough. Yeah. But what about mike . He has that dry scratchy thing going on. Guess what . It works on his cough too. Cough guess what . It works on his cough too. What . Stop dont pull me spoiler alert she doesnt make it only mucinex dm relieves both wet and dry coughs for 12 hours with two medicines in one pill. Start the relief. Ditch the misery. Lets end this. Its 4 14 and 24 degrees. 22 degrees in philadelphia. Here is a look at whats coming our way this winter storm on the nbc 10 first alert radar. Expect a dry day today and the snow will start falling tonight. Meteorologist bill henley returns in a few minutes with a closer look at the forecast, timing and totals. In new jersey, governor christie has ordered state agencies to activate its response planning. While models of the storms path and potential impact became clearer. Christie will receive an updated briefing on final preparations to determine if additional steps need to be taken. Now if electricity goes out nbc 10 telemundo and our Parent Company comcast have you covered. We have these plugin and power up stations, they will be set up across the region for you to just add juice to your cell phone and tablet free. If you lose power you can stay connected. You can see a complete list of the plugin powerup stations on our website. Check where the nearest one is now. 80 million are in the path of this blast of winter. With its sights set on the eastern seaboard. Several states are under states of emergency, experts say washington, d. C. Could get up to two feet of snow. Its 4 16. If you are scheduled to fly this weekend keep an eye on your flight. American Airlines Announced cancellations and others are expected to do the same later today. American as i said canceled all flights at Philadelphia International airport for tomorrow. The company also canceled flights in and out of charlotte today. Meantime, United Airlines said it was suspending service in d. C. And other maryland atlantic airports starting at 4 00. The Philadelphia Police department is chaneling its inner pop star to spread a message has many spinning their wheels. Call us from your cell phone, you see that cone. We showed you this video yesterday. Here is what its about. The Philadelphia Police parodied drakes popular song hot line bling to stop a trend in the city. Shoveled out Parking Spaces and put a cone or a chair in the spot. Now police say you are breaking the law if you do that. They urge people to report that. People endanger, fights. Wouldnt even call the police because i dont want to get my tires slashed. Thats not going to happen. Philadelphia police encourage people to call if they have a problem this weekend and they are using the hash tag no savies to spread the word. 4 17, colder overnight were in the teens and 20s but it is dry. And its going to be dry all day today. Its tonight that well start seeing the problems move in. 23 degrees right now in philadelphia. With a light breeze out of the north at 6 miles an hour, the wind stays light during the day but really ramps up tonight. And lots of snow heading into the Delaware Valley and some of it will be destined for the pocono mountains, those trees are going to get the first decent snow of the season and the slopes, nice topping from whats coming. The rest of the area, have to prepare for near blizzard conditions for saturday. For this morning, it is clear. Clouds are still well to our southwest but they are making steady progress. The storm system is coming together just as we expected all week long, were now seeing the snow over North Carolina into virginia and kentucky, and its tapping into the moisture of the gulf and will tap into the atlantic moisture as it comes into our area. 9 00 this evening thats steady snow in delaware and moving into south jersey, and its just beginning at that time in philadelphia. The snow spreads over overnight and continues through the day on saturday. Heavy at times near blizzard conditions. How much to expect . Well, the heaviest snowfall still expected in northeastern maryland into northern delaware, south jersey and southeastern virginia, gloucester and salem counties and portions of Cumberland County could see 14 to 18 inches. Farther to the north and east, still significant snowfall of 10 to 14 inches. The closer you get to the shore, the more likely well see mixing with some rain. And possibly sleet in between the snow and the rain at the shore. One way or the other its going to be very difficult to go anywhere. Possibly nowhere at times on saturday. For today, youll see increasing clouds, the temperatures top out in the low 30s this afternoon, colder than yesterday. Cold enough for snow and thats what well see this evening. And the heaviest snowfall starts overnight tonight, all day on saturday, tapering off early on sunday. We will see a warmup, a windy day on sunday, that will push the clouds out of here. Well see rapidly improving conditions during the day on sunday. I expect the snow to end in the region likely before sunrise on sunday, so well have plenty of time sunday afternoon to be shoveling out and dealing with what Mother Nature has left behind. Best advice, when you get home stay there. Plan to be i mean, just the perfect thing about this its on the weekend. It is. If you dont have to go anywhere you wont want to. Great. Thanks, bill. 4 20. A look at the roads right now. Much different tomorrow morning this time. Right now lets check the roads. Jessica boyington has that. Thats for sure. Lets take this in while it lasts. Vinyl street expressway around 24th street no problems and the vine street expressway has been open for the last two weeks so maybe they are almost done. At least right before all of this storm approaches we have somewhere to go on the vine. You can see westbound or eastbound no problems now, not a lot of cars out on the roadways so far this morning. Its early for that. Watch out Lawrence Township there was a water main break on princeton pike thats closed both directions betweenstoniccer drive. Here is route 202 looking zbreet far. Northbound or southbound from route 30 to the schuylkill expressway, check in with the Philadelphia International airport, might not be this way tomorrow. Right now currently no delays so hopefully get out the door. Before the storm you need supplies, right. Local stores have been flooded with customers in a rush to get ready. Nbc 10 caught up with people in Chester County making a mad dash for some of the most sought after items. Already went grocery shopping, picking up an extra shovel, its a back saver to save my back. Looking for salt but i guess they are all out. Generators and flashlights were big sellers. The closer we get to the storm the harder it will be to find these coveted items. Tweet us at nbc philadelphia let us know where things are sold out and where you are still finding the essentials. And once you got the essentials covered the aspca reminds you to keep a close eye on pets. They suggest keeping your fourlegged friends inside during the winter storm. If you take them for a walk wipe their paws when they come in. Dogs can ingest salt, antifreeze and other chemicals when licking their paws. Play it safe on the roads once the snow stops. In other words, dont do this. Some guy was driving like this. Hear what the driver of the car told police and how they responded. Speaking of cars, time to make sure yours is ready. Expert advice every driver should hear. Hey gus good to see you again the usual . Veggie burger with the works. See ya. Sounds good matt thanks gus, the second most famous groundhog in pennsylvania thats me. And this is for you gus bucks the new instant game from the Pennsylvania Lottery with top prizes of a hundred grand. Its the best game yet. cause youre on it . Well. Keep on scratchin its 4 25, 22 degrees in philadelphia. As the winter storm approaches there are some tips to keep you safe on the road when you decide to venture out. Never jump start a battery that is froze. It could explode. Make certain your tires are properly inflated. Good time to do that today. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gasline freezeup. And avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather. Avoid doing this. Look at this picture. In Canada Police ticketed an 80yearold man for not clearing the snow before he hit the road. The Police Department tweeted this picture, the driver cleared off well, didnt clear much. Enough to see out the front. Officers gave him a 110 ticket. In pennsylvania and new jersey the law says snow and ice must be removed from vehicles before driving. Local colleges are rescheduling basketball games because of this weekends snowstorm. Saturdays Villanova Providence game moved to sunday. Temple moving its game from saturday to sunday. No time announced for that yet. And saturdays game between lasalle and st. Joes will be held on sunday at 5 00. First alert has been issued for the coming storm. You can see it making progress. Its in kentucky moving into West Virginia, virginia and North Carolina will be here this evening. The heavy stuff arrives saturday. Right now 22 degrees at 4 26. Jessica boyington is in the first alert traffic center. Bill, were watching the white horse pike around cross keys road. No problems yet. Again, its the calm before the storm. The roads are still dry so get where you have to go now. Well have updates when i come back. And be careful. Before you grab a shovel know the warning signs your body may be sending to you about the dangers of winter outdoor activity. Getting closer. Heres a look at the winter storm on first alert radar. This is what will bring heavy snow and strong winds to much of our area, in fact, a blizzard warning was issued for parts of our area. Well get details from bill. At the jersey and delaware shore they are getting ready for coastal flooding. This weekend the coastline could see the worst flooding since hurricane sandy. In some places worse than sandy. Pretty soon well be doing this. Listen to your body. Advice about Winter Weather and your health. 22 degrees in philadelphia right now. Good morning. This is nbc 10 news today. Im tracy davidson. The nbc 10 first alert radar is tracking that winter storm. Heres what we know now. First, pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency. People using mass transit will likely have to deal with changes, septa will hold a News Conference this morning at 9 30, talk about their plans. The philadelphia Streets Department revised its trash collection schedule. You can find out details on nbc10. Com or tap the nbc 10 app. Now lets check with meteorologist bill henley and talk about whats going to happen the next 24 hours. You mentioned the headline now, the blizzard warning has been extended through wilmington, philadelphia, and trenton