Tracking the Flakes: What a Difference a Few Miles Makes in Philly’s Snow Season

Here we go again. Winter has settled in across the Philadelphia region, and as a new storm system begins to drop its first significant flakes, the big question on everyone’s mind is the same: How much snow are *we* actually going to get? If the past season is any indicator, the answer is probably very different depending on which side of the city or suburb you call home.

The 2024-2025 winter season was a fascinating study in geographical disparity when it came to snow totals. While the official measuring station at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) wrapped up the season with a modest 8.1 inches of snow, that total was less than half of the city’s 30-year average of about 23 inches. However, that relatively low number only tells part of the story for the Delaware Valley. The reality is that for a couple of major snow events, the storm tracks behaved in a way that left the city proper feeling slightly overlooked by the white stuff.

Take the season’s first major event in early January 2025. It presented a classic “upside-down” snow pattern. While PHL officially measured 1.8 inches, areas just a short drive to the south and east were completely blanketed. The Jersey Shore and parts of Delaware saw the brunt of that storm, with communities like Ocean City, New Jersey, getting 7.4 inches, and Bridgeville, Delaware, topping out at a whopping 10 inches.

The next big system, which hit a couple of weeks later in mid-January, delivered a different kind of regional split. This time, the official city total came in at 2.0 inches, but the suburbs to the north and west of Philadelphia received much higher amounts. For example, Berwyn recorded 6.3 inches, and Norristown saw 5.7 inches. The timing of that storm was particularly memorable, as the city’s Department of Streets had to hold off on declaring a snow emergency until late Sunday night to allow Eagles fans to clear out from a late-afternoon playoff game.

As we navigate this new round of winter weather, this historical context is crucial. Meteorologists are continually tracking the precise rain-snow line, which, as we’ve seen, is often the single most critical factor in determining whether you get a light dusting or a full-blown snow day. Today’s forecast calls for heavy snow throughout the day, kicking off what looks to be a prolonged period of colder temperatures for the region.

Whether you’re an avid snow tracker with a ruler planted in the yard, or someone who simply hopes the plows can keep up, keep an eye on those neighborhood-specific reports. It’s clear that in the Philadelphia region, the difference between a few flakes and a full-on winter wonderland is often just a matter of a few miles. City officials and agencies like PennDOT are prepared, having already treated major roadways, and a Code Blue remains in effect to help keep the most vulnerable residents safe from the frigid conditions. Stay warm and drive safely.