Monday, February 23, 2026 — A winter storm delivered measurable snowfall across the Philadelphia metropolitan area, with National Weather Service reports compiled through 9:30 p.m. showing accumulations across Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Local weather coverage and public-safety agencies reported multiple communities seeing between 0.6 and 5.0 inches of snow, with the heaviest pockets in parts of New Jersey and Delaware. The storm continued overnight with travel impacts expected on major roadways and secondary streets.
Key Takeaways
- Official NWS observations as of 9:30 p.m. listed Harrington, DE at 5.0 inches and Haddonfield, NJ at 5.0 inches, the highest single reports in the dataset.
- Several New Jersey locations reported 3.5–4.5 inches: Ventnor 4.5 in, Brigantine 4.1 in, and multiple towns at 3.5–4.0 in.
- Delaware totals ranged from 0.6 inches at New Castle County Airport to 5.0 inches at Harrington.
- Pennsylvania reports were generally lower, with Exton at 4.4 inches and pockets of 2.0–4.4 inches across the region.
- The compilation covers discrete observation sites in three states (DE, NJ, PA) and reflects conditions through the evening observation period.
- Local emergency responders and transportation agencies advised caution; crews were mobilized for snow removal on primary routes.
Background
Late-winter coastal and inland storms commonly affect the I-95 corridor from Delaware through New Jersey and into eastern Pennsylvania, producing narrow bands of heavier snow and areas of lighter accumulation. The atmosphere in mid- to late February often features cold surface air with overrunning moisture from the Atlantic, which can produce localized differences in totals over short distances. Municipalities and state DOTs maintain pre-positioned crews and salt stocks for this season, but resource demand rises when several inches accumulate across multiple jurisdictions.
Weather observations reported by the National Weather Service and aggregated by local broadcasters provide snapshot totals that inform road-treatment priorities and public messaging. In the Philadelphia region, differences in elevation, proximity to the coast, and storm track can yield a sharp gradient in snowfall over a few miles. Historically, storms in February have ranged from light accumulations to coastal snow events that produce travel disruptions and occasional school or service closures.
Main Event
The storm produced measurable snow across the region beginning earlier Monday and intensifying through the afternoon into the evening observation window. By 9:30 p.m., the NWS-reported totals included Delaware sites such as Harrington at 5.0 inches and New Castle County Airport at 0.6 inches, illustrating the localized variability. In New Jersey, multiple towns posted 3–5 inches, with Haddonfield and Ashland each at 5.0 and Ventnor at 4.5 inches, while Camden and Trenton Mercer Airport reported lower amounts near 2.8 inches.
Pennsylvania stations showed a mix of light to moderate accumulations: Exton recorded 4.4 inches, Thornton 4.4 inches, and Mount Pocono 3.3 inches, while West Chester logged 1.5 inches. Roadway crews reported ongoing snow removal on primary arteries, with secondary streets still accumulating untreated snow in residential neighborhoods. Visibility reduction and slushy surfaces were reported in several communities as the storm continued to produce light-to-moderate snowfall rates during the evening.
Broadcast and traffic updates urged motorists to delay nonessential travel where possible, and transit operators adjusted some overnight schedules to account for slower conditions. Municipal announcements emphasized that conditions could change rapidly overnight if the storm track shifted or precipitation rates increased in concentrated bands.
Analysis & Implications
Although totals in many areas remained in the 2–5 inch range, even modest accumulations can produce hazardous driving conditions when combined with residual cold pavement and untreated side streets. For urban corridors like Philadelphia, slush accumulation on bridges and elevated ramps is an immediate concern because those surfaces freeze faster and can be slower to clear. Emergency responders noted increased call volumes for spinouts and minor collisions compared with a typical clear night.
Economically, the storm’s direct costs are largely short-term: overtime for road crews, limited transit delays, and potential small-business impacts from reduced evening commerce. If temperatures fall below freezing later, the indirect cost rises through icy morning commutes and potentially delayed deliveries. Schools and workplaces often weigh early-morning conditions against safety and operational needs when considering closures or delays.
Regionally, the pattern of heavier snow in coastal-adjacent New Jersey and parts of Delaware versus lighter pockets inland aligns with a storm track that favored onshore moisture wrapping into cooler air. If similar setups recur this season, forecasts and resource planning should anticipate narrow bands of higher accumulations that may require targeted responses rather than uniformly deployed assets across entire counties.
Comparison & Data
| State | Location | Snow (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Harrington | 5.0 |
| Delaware | Magnolia | 3.0 |
| Delaware | New Castle County Airport | 0.6 |
| New Jersey | Ashland | 5.0 |
| New Jersey | Brigantine | 4.1 |
| New Jersey | Buena Vista Twp. | 3.0 |
| New Jersey | Camden | 2.8 |
| New Jersey | Cherry Hill | 3.5 |
| New Jersey | Ewing | 4.0 |
| New Jersey | Haddonfield | 5.0 |
| New Jersey | Lumberton | 3.5 |
| New Jersey | Ocean View | 3.0 |
| New Jersey | Pennsville | 4.0 |
| New Jersey | Toms River | 3.0 |
| New Jersey | Trenton Mercer Airport | 2.8 |
| New Jersey | Ventnor | 4.5 |
| New Jersey | Williamstown | 3.5 |
| Pennsylvania | Bustleton | 2.0 |
| Pennsylvania | East Coventry Twp. | 2.5 |
| Pennsylvania | East Norriton | 2.2 |
| Pennsylvania | Exton | 4.4 |
| Pennsylvania | Jennersville | 2.8 |
| Pennsylvania | Mount Pocono | 3.3 |
| Pennsylvania | New Hanover Twp. | 4.0 |
| Pennsylvania | Thornton | 4.4 |
| Pennsylvania | Trumbauersville | 4.0 |
| Pennsylvania | West Chester | 1.5 |
The table above groups the NWS-reported observation sites by state. It shows that maximum reported totals clustered in New Jersey and Delaware, with Pennsylvania locations more varied between 1.5 and 4.4 inches. These reported figures reflect site-specific measurements and may differ from neighborhood or road conditions nearby due to microclimate effects and measurement location.
Reactions & Quotes
Local media coverage emphasized accumulating snow and ongoing reporting; the station covering the region noted early signs of significant pileup in some neighborhoods.
“The snow is starting to pile up across the region,”
WPVI-TV (local broadcast)
The National Weather Service issued advisories and situational updates to warn of travel impacts and continued accumulations during the evening observation window. Officials urged caution and provided routine guidance for winter driving.
“Expect accumulating snow and travel impacts through tonight,”
National Weather Service (official)
Transportation officials reported crews working to treat main roads and prioritized arterial routes; they advised residents to allow extra travel time and avoid nonessential journeys as conditions evolve.
Unconfirmed
- Reports of widespread power outages tied to this evening’s snowfall had not been confirmed by utility providers at the time of the NWS observation compilation.
- Claims of major highway closures beyond isolated incidents were not verified by state DOTs in published advisories through 9:30 p.m.
Bottom Line
As of the 9:30 p.m. NWS observation window on Feb. 23, 2026, the Philadelphia region saw a swath of 2–5 inches of snow with localized high points in New Jersey and Delaware. Motorists and residents should expect lingering travel impacts and plan for potentially slick conditions into the morning, especially on untreated side streets and bridges.
Public-safety and transportation agencies remain the most reliable sources for real-time road and service status; follow official channels for morning updates. If the storm’s track or precipitation rate changes overnight, totals and impacts could rise locally, requiring renewed assessment of clearance priorities and public advisories.