right now at 11:00. storm has arrived. steady snowfall throughout the region tonight. this is a live look from the ben franklin parkway. the snow is already pile up. >> heavy snow is also falling down the shore. this is a live look at the atlantic city boardwalk. coastal towns are bracing for flooding.

>> take a look at this. stormscan 3 shows it all. snow blanketing the tri-state region, most area a under a blizzard warning. many closures coming into the newsroom, they will be scrolling at the bottom. i'm ukee washington >> i'm jessica dean. we have been talking about this for days. now it's here. we have live team coverage of our first major storm of the season and we begin with meteorologist kate bilo. kate, walk us through what's a happening right now. >> what's happening right now is that this storm is continuing to strengthen and it's continuing to throw lots of moisture back toward the eastern sea board and heaviest of the banding not even moved into philadelphia yet. you can see what's happening with the storm. notice how it's starting to pivot. this way, an indication as the storm moves offshore and strengthens it's going to throw moisture back around the area. the stall several hours and continue to dump band of heavy snow on philadelphia, south jersey and delaware and into the dc area. look at that just an insane rate

of snowfall. headed for dc and baltimore at the moment. and as we zoom in closer on our area, you can see those band we're talking about take a look at that, darker purple shading about here, another band poisoned to move into delco and heading not city of philadelphia and another in southern delaware. banding is basically like a squall line of thunderstorms in the storm. with snow, it's just a like of heavy conwecktive snowfall and it can fall at the rate of one to two inches per hour, sometimes two or three inches, i remember a too years back in 2011, we had a storm dumped two inches per hour down the shore. and we're going to be dealing with that pretty much all night, just these bands of heavy snowfall moving through. your blizzard warning remains in effect. wind not gotten super strong just yet. we're going to have wind gusts up to 40, 50 miles an hour in the city, 50, 60 at the shore. reason there's no blizzard

warning at the shore is because mixing may be occur, they have a high wind warning steady. 18 to 24 inches new prediction, pretty much the entire surrounding area, slightly lower to the north and south and east but we now expect a good chance of to feet of snow in our forecast area with slightly higher totals back to the south and to the west. future wind gusts, 5:00 a.m. all the snow falling start being blown around, gusts over 50 miles an hour down the shore and it continues all a day, gusts could reach over 60 down the shore and that can load to major threats for power outages, we'll talk more about coastal impacts from the system coming up. also talk about pouch snow fallen. this storm piling up quickly, lauren casey joins us >> conditions are starting to deteriorate a bit here on it cbs3 sky deck. the wind are starting toic put up. it was a very pretty kind of like fall snow about an hour ago. now those wind are ramping up. the snow is pile up and some of our snowfall totals so far, got my hand ruler out, we measured

so far about two and a quarter inches here on the sky deck. in philadelphia in general about three inches. dover, picking up almost three and a half at this early point in the snow event. pemberton about two inches of snow so far. top philadelphia snowstorms, the biggest, close to 31 inches back in 1996. we had a one a few years ago, 2010 be 28.5. if we make it to 21 inches, we would tie for the fifth biggest snowstorm in philadelphia history. that dating back to the 1800s, and looks like we got a shot to do so. so keep tuned and we'll keep giving you the updated snowfall totals throughout >> amaze aing numbers. thanks so much snow coming down hard and fast across the region including in center city. and that's where we find david spunt. david, clearing the roads can be a big challenge. >> jessica, it is a big shall

and things have picked up. i'm on the top of the art museum steps. a beautiful night. city officials are warning people to stay off those roads. >> just minutes after the flakes started falling, crews at the city salt yards were ready to go. they've been preparing weeks and plan to spread most of the salt on city road through the weekend. >> we should be getting more equipment in some time between 10:00 and midnight. and we'll be out all night, and all day tomorrow. plowing. >> reporter: authorities say there will be plenty of plows on the road but they tell me the big concern is the wind. earlier in the day, mayor jim kenney made a blunt plea to the public about his first snow storm at the the hell. in the mayor's office >> i suggest the netflix, pay per view. make sure you're stocked up. enjoy being home's don't go out until it's safe. we'll giving you all clear.

>> reporter: kenney assured philadelphians, what his staff is prepared >> we'll do our best to get it done. i wish i were cat in the hat and i could put all the snow back in the hat and make everything normal. the it's what it is mayor kenney said it is what it is. live look at the ben franklin parkway. you can barely see the skyline. white-out conditions right now. the emergency operations center for the city of philadelphia goes into effect tomorrow morning at 8:00. a snow emergency kicked off at 9:00 this evening. don't be on the roads unless you have to. that is what officials want to tell you. reporting live on the steps of the art museum david spunt cbs3 "eyewitness news" >> thank you. pennsylvania in a state of emergency, penndot plow trucks also on move tonight spreading salt, and soon they will be pushing a whole lot of snow. "eyewitness news" cameras rolling as penndot crews hit the road in center city. if you do have to be out, officials ask that you help the plow truck drivers by moving

over for them. the jersey shore is braceings for a one, two punch of heavy snow and severe flooding, is closely watching the ocean and the back bay for any problems. this is the live picture from the boardwalk tonight where you can see it is pretty much covered there. there is also concern about beach erosion. it's snowing heavily in somer's point tonight. partially snow covered and slippery. shoppers had to brush off their cars before taking off tonight new jersey governor chris christy returned from the campaign trail and declared a state of emergencyful however, he is not concerned about sandy-like flooding >> none of us at this point, we're anticipating need for evacuation which, to me, is kind of the breaking point where you start to really be concerned about it. street flooding we'll deal with that. it will recede. we don't want people traveling any way >> in margate, dozen filled thousands of sandbags free for residents to pick up and use for their homes and businesses let's head to delaware,

newark where people got a jump on the shoveling keeping the sidewalks as clear as they can do. a state of emergency also been declared in the first state. where you are, it's a travel nightmare out there >> the storm is leaving passengers stranded at philadelphia international airport. that airport is preparing for a rare shutdown. "eyewitness news" diana rocco is live there tonight with the latest only situation. diana? >> reporter: and jessica, it has been a very tough travel day for people here, but last flight has landed for the night. which means all flights in and out of philadelphia international airport are now grounded until sunday. friday night it's a ghost downtown at a philadelphia international airport after flights are grounded all day saturday. everything coming in and out has been cancelled. >> i'm pretty tired. >> very frustrating. i want to cry. >> reporter: passengers have been working on flight schedules for days >> i booked a red eye for last

night. that got cancelled out of seattle. i went from seattle from minneapolis and here 10 work out, i could wing it from there. >> reporter: he's here for a business conference, made it from seattle. others weren't so fortunate >> a lot of our counter parts had to go to their headed into pittsburgh tomorrow, some of them tonight. then all driving in together tomorrow evening and/or sunday. >> reporter: what a mess >> it is a mess. yes, it will go down. >> reporter: richard left las vegas this morning, he's headed home to west chester. >> i feel very lucky to be here right now. >> reporter: friday started busy, as the day went on flights started getting cancelled leaving passengers frustrated and waiting in long lines looking for baggage. now for 400 airport personnel the a snow clearing operation until the storm has finally passed >> you need to check with your

airline to keep in touch with them. it's going to be a slow start sunday and it will fend upon how late this snow last and how quickly we can get it off the runways and taxi ways. >> reporter: sunday is expected to be a very long and busy day here. so if you are a passenger flying out, you're asked to get on her early and pack your patience. we're live in philadelphia international airport tonight i'm diana rocco cbs3 "eyewitness news" >> nobody with you there tonight, diana meantime septa suspending most of it's services beginning at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow, all trolley routes and norristown high speed limit will be suspended. the broad streets will be running many weekend activities are, including a big event in center city, academy of music 159 and anniversary concert and ball. take a look at video from last year's ball.

this event raises money for the restoration of the academy's building and the ball was to takes place tomorrow night. 1600 people were expected to attend at the bellevue. the academy's board of trustee cancelled tomorrow's ball out of quote respect for the safety of their patrons. the academy says it plan on donating surplus food from the event to local food banks and shelters. eye on it storm coverage continues. it was a mad rush to the stores >> people out in full force stocking up on last minute supplies before the heaviest snow arrives. our vittorio woodhill went shopping to see what everybody was buying. >> we're not the only one getting stopped by the blizzard, the baltimore dc area is bracing for some of the heaviest snow totals. live report when we come back. >> we remain under a blizzard warning tonight some of the heaviest snow starts to worker it's way through the a, tracking a few heavy band will continue overnight into tomorrow, i'll have your updated snow totals. this could be one of our top five storms ever.

when does it get out? i'll have the timing >> before we take a break, let's take a look at center city. you can see the snow steadily coming down. "eyewitness news" continues after this short break.

we have our george eye on the storm this another look for atlantic city. snow already cover caned the boardwalk. meteorologist kate bilo will have your full forecast coming up in just a few minutes. you might be warn out tonight. getting ready for the storm is type of storm can be quite a chore. >> got that right. there was a whole lot of last minute scrambling going on as people prepared to be snowed in. vittorio woodhill joined us from wood bury. if you're not ready, i guess it's too late. >> reporter: feels like that. i went in trying to get one item. you'll see that in my piece coming up. seemed to be a little too late. i believe right now, however, with how heavy the snow is

coming down, i should have looked for goggles too. take a look. tonight was a night for preparations. carts on the move ready to stack up with last minute items but it didn't come without a price >> we're in line outside of the store for about 20 minutes. >> reporter: trader joe's in center city was one place where time was and. but put money was also spent not only ton on what to eat >> it wasn't just like eggs and milk >> no, everything, planning for snow magedden out here >> also what to wear. >> coveralls for my pants, keep me waterproof tomorrow during work. >> i'm going to be wearing five jackets. coveralls, boots, gloves, three hoods. a hat. >> reporter: i hope you brought your credit card can >> i did. >> reporter: are you buying anything in particular >> snow boots >> is that it a little late? >> no. >> reporter: busted >> yeah, baby.

>> reporter: i don't know, ben, i figured i'd pop in for snow boots myself and snow boots are over here? desperate times call for sfrat measures. over here? these look like they're my own option. now, i'm a size eight and a half, nine, these are a 12. so that means plenty of room for is it a socks. one bunny ear. two bunny ear >> the key to any snowstorm is trying your best to be prepared and regardless, always making the best of it. >> bring it. headed for the snow? >> yes. >> reporter: i have to give a shout out to ma ken si and mi call la. it's all you can do, you can prepare as much as you can but you just have to make the best of it. whether staying at home and feel like you're stuck inside all weekend or maybe you're going to run out, you know, be and play in the snow, we just have to have fun, what else are we going to do? i mean, really.

that's all i got for you. >> by the way, those boots will fit me like a glove >> i'll run back but considering everybody was running out, i can't promise they will be there >> appreciate the effort. take care. thanks so much many of you have been sharing your snow pictures. julia's cat is hiding under car. but her dog seems like he's enjoying, butter is sniffing arounds had backyard in pottstown. this time tomorrow the snow drifts might be taller than butter himself >> you can help us tell the story of this major winter storm, we're asking you to share your snow photos on facebook, twitter and instagraming use #cbs3 snow and you could see them here on "eyewitness news". we love seeing everybody's pictures from around the area >> it's starting to come down harder now and more. >> it is snowing like crazy out there in some spots.

we got this banding and i said it earlier, banding is when you get a thunderstorm line me july and pores for like 20, 30 minutes. this is like that with snow. so there can be thunder with this. wait for the thunder snow. we talk about thunder snow a lot. if you have not experienced it it's pretty cold, thunder snow, sleet, generally happens when a storm is strengthening, there's lot of convection. this storm has all of those ingredients and it's starting to get under way right now. if you think it's bad all right, it's going to get much, much worse. this is just the first can believe of hours. what's going to be a 24 plus hour, storm, we got a lot re month to get through before we get any break from this. i showed you spring garden street earlier i think in the 4:00 newscast. everything looked nice and here, everybody was getting along just fine. you can see right now the roads are snow covered. this snow is pile up quickly. it has been cold out there. temperatures still only in the mid 20. you're looking at a light fluffy dry snow right now, those due

points are climbing and as the due points climb you're going to nope a different consistency to the snow as we go through the next several hours, take a look what's going on in the radar picture. here's our storm, starting to pivot a little bit. pivot like this and it's going to just keep that moisture coming in off the atlantic ocean, weather is very warm here as the center of the low moves off the coast of the delmarva. we expect it to strengthen to tap into some of that moisture and throw it back into the philadelphia suburbs and down towards dc as well. it's now looking look new york city could really overperform with this storm as well. the nash weather service there raised the totals drivingly to about 18 to 24 on long island, another area on it fringe and now with the storm really strengthening rapidly overperforming, they're going to get pour out of this as well. you can see the mix line starting to he want crow up close to delaware. eventually southern delaware and extreme southeastern new jersey, notice by 3:00 a.m., rehoboth beach could be seeing rain. the rest heavy snow.

look at these bands of snow, 4:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m., little mixing down to wildwood and portions of sound cape may county, maybe off to the south, band of heavy snow in philadelphia, keeps oncoming, 11:00 a.m. still heavy snow. may start to lighten up by about 3:00, 4:00. stormy, you'll start to see holes, 7:00 it's still snowing, that means we have bumped up those snow totals for you. 18 to 24 inches, higher to the south and west over two feet, even in portions of lancaster, so you can see the gradient here, some spots could end up higher than what we have on the map that really is the case for the lehigh valley as well. 12 to 18. that's where you're at right now. power problems with the 40 to 60 per mile gusts heavy wet snow, power line trees, outages are likely down the shore where the wind will be strongest and with the battering northeast wind we push the water on to the land

and a major risk for coastal flooding. generally speaking, our high tied around 7:00. with gusts to 60, coastal flooding, beach erosion, page power outages, the shore will get hit hard and that is not even counting the snow, big problems as we head through the next several hours and the next day to or so. again, the overnight hours, heavy snow all night long, very windy, keep it in mid 20, you're going to get the light fluffy snow to start, change in consistency through the night. wind gust to 35. worst of the wind early on your saturday. gusts to 50 miles an hour. that means blizzard and white-out conditions. 32 degrees the daytime high. that means more of that ten to one ratio. packible snow good for snowball fights and snow men, little bit harder to shovel. when you wake up first thing, get out there with the shovel or snow belower, do a first pass. we're talking over two feet of

snow in portions of the area, sunday 37, above freezing, that's good news, still blowing and drifting, next week, back to the 40's. this generally we get the blast of stream cold behind one of these storms, not this to him. that's one good thing once we get the storm out of here. looks like it's going to come to an end about midnight >> lesley here now, weather is kind of getting >> sports not going to like this at all. the winter storm is impacting the philadelphia sports fans and the teams, i'll have the latest on the postponements and you're going to need it. san francisco getting ready pour

sixers will be just like most of us tomorrow, stuck inside watching tv, they're game has been moved to 7:00 at the center. the storm created a full court mess, games moved to sunday. temple will take on smu at noon. wells fargo we have villanova taking on providence from an atlantic penn battle between st. joe's and lasalle tipping off at 5:00. the local hoop seen will be something tomorrow, we have three great games right here on cbs3 starting a the noon, big east reunion, georgetown keg taking on connecticut at 2:00 followed by ucla. the flyers will be back on the ice tomorrow taking on the

islanders, the orange and black looking through a two-game losing streak, here is the scene working out in the snow, getting ready for the nfc championship game sunday against the carolina cardinals, kicking into the 20. you can see the afc championship game sunday game, going up against payton manning. the winners will be heading to san francisco for super bowl 50. crews working on the cbs3 broadcast site super bowl city includes putting in the turf with the cbs3 sports logo. you can see super bowl 50 february 7 and on cbs3. >> do you see the coats they're wearing? not to you warm out there either. >> no, it's not. >>

welcome back to "eyewitness news" at 11:00. this is a live look from center city philadelphia. you see broad street now snow covered. the snow has been falling several hours, it's expected for many more. at any with us on cbs3. fe news for philadelphia police officer, ambushed in line of duty. he is finally home tonight. ly >> there were cheers as officer jesse hartnett was released from

from pen presbyterian. the police department tells us that the officer is in good spirits. so flat to hear that. this will make him feel good. more than 300 philadelphia school children created get well cards for the officer, delivered to the 18 and police department where he is assigned and will be passed along to him. six schools participated in this very special project. very nice. we'll be right back.