Im tracy davidson. Im chris cato. First alert weather day and we want to make you ready and prepare you for todays snow and first alert weather coverage for todays forecast and the look at the preparations happening in your neighborhood right now. Bill henley and his first alert forecast. Bill, right now no snow falling in the area just cold and cloudy. It will take some time to move into the western suburbs and then philadelphia and then the pocono mountains where they are making snow in the very cold air and the snow in the mountains doing a little grooming as well. A first alert day for our area will snow that will be falling. Not only this morning, but into this afternoon. But one to two inches. Looks like that is going to happen during the Morning Hours. It is cold enough to stay on the ground even after the snow ends later today. The radar shows the snow approaching from the west its showing up on the radar, but so far no reports of snow in maryland and certainly looks like it but its falling into dry air. So the first snowflakes are evaporating before they hit the ground. Well be watching it move in on radar and it will take time to move into the philadelphia area. See ethe time snap at the bottom of the screen there. Light snow spreading into philadelphia. And the steady snowfall is possible and still light inberks county. Look at those temperatures. Staying in the low 20s at 9 00 this morning. 22 degrees certainly cold enough for this storm system to be all snow for us. So, the forecast is calling for temperatures to climb a little bit but stay well below freezing today. Were certainly in that zone right now. 9 degrees in the pocono mountains and it feels like its in the teens in philadelphia. Very light snowfall. The first flakes at 7 00. By 9 00 maybe half an inch on the ground and by noon we could see an inch of snow on the ground. A light snowfall, indeed. Sometimes thats just enough to make for a traffic mes. Jillian mele is keeping an eye on the road. Good morning, jill. I anticipate problems later in the morning, but right now the roads are quiet. In Chester County a live look at 202 at west valley road. It is quiet and clear and the roads are dry. A good time to head out, if you need to do so. Unfortunately, a few problems out there. Including a water main break in ma matson. Heading into new jersey right now, Lawrence Township 206 remains closed between 95 and carter road because of an accident there. Go ahead and take princeton pike as your alternate and the area bridges off to a good start so far this morning. No accidents and no delays on any of the bridges. As the morning progresses i anticipate as the snow comes in seeing some problems and seeing some delays and speed restrictions. Well stay on top of that one for you. Penndot says it is ready. They spread salt brine on the highways and heavily traveled roads. Penndot has more than 200 winter trucks ready to start salting once the snow beginning falling this morning and stay out until the snow stops. Now, this time last year we were digging out from one big storm and getting ready for another. What a winter that was. The philadelphia Streets Department is actually using Lessons Learned from that brultal winter. Nbc 10 katy zacky joins us live from southwest philadelphia with more on this new strategy. Tell me whats happening. Behind me you can see a large salt pile where a salt yard operated in southwest philadelphia and in addition to spreading some of the salt later this morning, they tell me theyre more actively spreading brine. Ahead of the storm this winter. Now brine is a salt water mixture and crews were out spreading it sunday night here in philadelphia. This time last year of course we ehad already experienced a handful of snow storms. One thing crews in philadelphia did last year that they will do again this morning is prioritize where they salt and plow. Roads rather around hospitals get priority, primary roads do as well. Like Market Street and broad street. They will be plowed first. Today because its a school day and the storm is supposed to hit during rush hour and when buses are getting kids to school the roads around school will become a priority today. The Streets Department has spotters they fan out throughout the city eto watch weather conditions. Thal they will be dispatched this morning, as well. So they can report back to the department. Well have more on that coming up in a half hour. Reporting live in southwest philadelphia, katy zachary, nbc 10 news. Youll hear us use this term. We issue those nbc 10 first alerts to help you prepare for whats ahead. You can see the weather symbol at the abottom of your screen. Give you advance warning sews youre not caught off guard when weather hits. You can get important weather and information delivered to your tablet. It is a Free Download that you can get right now on our website. Np np nbc10. Com. New information right now on a fire that we told you about in our 4 00 a. M. Half hour. We told you about this fire and the last 15 minutes we learned that a next door neighbor was actually taken to the hospital because she breathes in too much smoke. The fire started around 3 00 this morning on south lambert street. A family of four lives inside this home. Everyone got out safely. A woman who lived next door was taken to the hospital for breathing and smoke. No word on how that fire started. Opening statements begin later this morning in the trial of don tollefson. He is accused of stealing more than 300,000 by selling fake sportsthemed trips that heed is would benefit charities. The man accused of ambushing two Pennsylvania State troopers killing one of them, will go to trial. Police walked eric frein into the pike county courthouse yesterday morning looking different from his arrest. Now hes clean shaven with glasses. Prosecutors showed evidence in court that proves that he wounded alex douglas last september. Officers captured frein after a 48day manhunt in the pocono mountains. Dicksons wife. Prosecutors are seeking the Death Penalty. Calculating the cost of cold weather. Were asking your oil and gas company how much more youll pay to heat your house during this cold snap. Bill . It is certainly cold. Look at the wind blowing the flag atop of the aramark building. Right now 13 degrees in philadelphia. The temperature is in the low 20s and falling and we will see snow falling this morning. Right now dry and 20 at 4 38. And were also talking about protecting your fourlegged family members. The move a major pet store is is making this morning to keep your pets from getting sick. Now your nbc 10 first alert weather with meteorologist bill henley. Its cold enough for snow and we are going to get some today. Right now the clouds are moving in. It is dry. 22 degrees. Look at the humidity. Thats an important number today. That needs to be a lot higher before we start seeing snowflake snowflakes coming from the clouds. You can see the radar showing its completely town for norris town, philadelphia and trenton. But just to the southwest, the snow is moving into the radar. It shows snow in central and southern delaware but it has yet to reach the ground because that humidity is so low. Eventually it will this moisture keeps coming moving in. It is a fast moving clipper. In fact over the last 12 hours, it made a lot of progress into the area and it is going to continue. So, 6 00 this morning, some of the western suburbs will see the first light snowfall. 25 degrees in philadelphia. By the time it moves in 7 00. The first snowflakes in philadelphia. Delaware will see some light snow while much of new jersey is still waiting for snow. By 9 00 this morning, well see light, accumulating snow and only light snow this morning and mainly during the Morning Hours after starting between 6 00 and 7 00 in the western suburbs, it should taper off early this afternoon. How much to expect . A look at the future weather and then when i come back in ten. About 20 minutes until 5 00. Again, the snow will start falling just around 7 00 when traffic normally picks up for the morning rush. Just take it easy. Jillian mele has you covered with anything we need to know before we get to that 7 00 hour. Jillian. How the radar shows the snow coming down and its not hitting the ground yet. This is what it looks like in dover. Appears to be snow out there, but take you to a live look to one of our traffic cameras. Route one right at the dover toll plaza and dry as can be right now. That is a perfect example of what bill is talking about when he is talking about this radar. Ill keep you updated on all the traffic incidents that happen, including this one in west conshohocken. That is going to be blocked off and for drivers in new jersey we still have this accident in Lawrence Township. Closing 206 in both directions between 95 and carter road. You can stick to princeton pike at your alternate there. Our first alert korvegcoverage of todays snow continues with preparations across north jersey release a devastating avalanche of taste on your tongue. Bury yourself in the flavor full of sweet icing and filling. Call off the hounds rescue is unnecessary. Pillsbury toaster strudel, the snow day of breakfasts. Ho ho ho [ female announcer ] at 100 calories, not all food choices add up. Some are giant. Some not so giant. When managing your weight, bigger is always better. Ho ho ho green giant. Snow is slowly moving our way. Quickmoving system considers it was in montana yesterday at this time. It will take some time before we start seeing the first snowflakes. Very dry air and the first snowflakes coming out of the clouds are evaporating. Right now 20 degrees at 4 45. Well theyre bracing for the snow all across south jersey. Public works crews are busy putting down brine and atlantic counties. Camden county Officials Say all the road crews were called in early. Well have the entire county work for us through our Public Works Department and our parks department. Thats over 100 personnel and over 70 pieces of equipment ready to deal with the snow storms. Crews will put down road salt as its needed. Gloucester county officials are ready for whatever the morning rush hour brings them. Salt and plow trucks also on standby. With snow on the way and the temperatures dropping be sure to get instant Weather Information and traffic updates by following first alert meteorologist bill henley and nbc 10 first alert meteorologist jillian mele on twitter. At 4 46. New information this morning about the salem county man who is accused of that deadly shooting ram pain at Los Angeles International airport in 2013. The Death Penalty trial of paul is set to begin in february of 2016. This after a hearing yesterday in which he pleaded not guilty to killing a tsa agent and injuring three people at l. A. X. In november of 2013. The judge wanted the trial to start this year, but he epushed it back because the prosecution is seeking the Death Penalty. 4 46. Heres a live look at capitol hill where later today republicans take full control of the congress for the first time in eight years. The house will vote to elect the speaker, john boehner is expected to win that seelt forat for a third time. Republicans plan to move swiftly including a passage to build the keystone pipeline. Chris kunes sworn into his second term. He recently returned from a trip to liberia. He says now that the crisis is being managed, the u. S. Needs a new strategy. This was his first full term. He won a special election in 20 to fill Vice President joe bidens old seat. Donald norcross will take the oath of office. He says his top priority is serving jobs. And new jerseys highest court will take up the issue of Affordable Housing today. The Fair Share Housing Center wants the law enforced that makes Homes Affordable for moderate and lowincome families. It comes after the state council and affordalble housing. Another candidate plans to enter the race for philadelphia mayor. Doug oliver now plans to run for mayor and leave his job. Used to be mayor michael nutters spokesperson. District attorney lynn abram and truillo and williams. The primary is in may. The search for airasia wreckage is moving. Five large objects believed to be parts of the plane, but the bad weather and strong currents kept divers from reaching it. The plane went down on december 28th with 162 people onboard and only three dozen have been recovered so far. The u. S. Ski team is in shock this morning after two prospects for the team were killed in an avalanche. Ronnie burlack were skiing with four others. They left the prepared area apparently setting off the avalanche. The other four skiers escaped injury. Its 4 49. Now your nbc 10 first alert weather. And the biting cold is bringing things to a standstill in minnesota. It is so cold in minneapolis, construction stopped on the new viking stadium. Frigid temperatures gripping the eastern part of the country, as well. A winter storm system icy roads are to blame for a 25car pileup along a mile and a half stretch of the highway and parts of iowa could get up to eight inches of snow and dealing with the bitter cold, too. We dont have eight inches of snow. We ehave that goinghave that going for us. A gentle snowfall during the day but stick from the very beginning. So cold outside. The temperatures plummeted overnight. Teens and 20s right now. They are making snow. Why not . Take advantage of the cold. Even though Mother Nature will produce some in the pocono mountains and not going to be a lot in the mountains. Looking at one to two inches of snow as this quick moving system moves through the area. Right now, were waiting for it to begin. The clouds have been increasing overnight as the temperatures come down. We are tracking light snow and were getting the first reports of snowfall hitting the ground in portions of maryland. But its still got a ways to go before it gets here. Expecting it to arrive between 6 00 and 7 00 this morning. In the western suburbs to start with and then take some time to spread across new jersey but by 9 00 this morning, most of the area will be seeing light snowfall. One to two inches expected. Primarily during the Morning Hours and taper off quickly this afternoon. So, a gentle light snowfall. Shouldnt be too much trouble. But look at the cold. 9 degrees in mount pocono and trenton is 19 degrees and 22 degrees. 10 degrees below freezing in wilmington. Even cape may is in the frozen zone this morning. Even though its dry on beach avenue, snow will be falling there during the day and accumulating. Teens for reading coatville, doylestown and philadelphia at 22 degrees and camcounty, camden spruce street and all in the very low 20s to start with this morning. The radar showing it completely dry in norris town and philadelphia, but the snow is making some steady progress. It shows snow across delaware not reaching the ground just yet. In fact much of this first snowfall is not reaching the ground. But, as you move to the west you could see the snow is accumulating. West virginia and portions of ohio. Now, the first report of snow on the ground in frederick, maryland. They just started to reporting some light snowfall. So baltimore will not be far behind and that will be on the way to us as well. So, stand by for a light snowfall during the day today. How much to expect well by 7, we might have any accumulation in philadelphia, but just a dusting in wilmington lancaster and reading. By 9 00 this morning, we could close in on a quarter of inch of snow on the ground in philadelphia. A bit for willemmington and just over half in lancaster. By noontime today millville closing in on an inch of snowfall by the time this one tapers off completely during the afternoon hours and this evening, we might see a few flurries looking at one, possibly a little more than an inch in philadelphia and closing in on two inches for lancaster. Little bit of shoveling, but not too bad. Most of the light snowfall is going to be during the morning. The cold that is around for days. 20s this afternoon with southwesterly winds to make it feel like its in the teens. All right, bill thanks. Eight minutes before 5 00. Nothing on the roads just yet. But lets check to see if there are any trouble spots. Jillian mele is keeping her eye out for trouble spots. Jillian jillian . No accidents on the majors. Thats good news. Vine street expressway completely clear and just a few drivers out there. If you can head out earlier than normal, not a bad idea. Once the snow comes in and sticks to the ground, that is where we could see big problems on the roads. Drive times 11 to 13 minutes between the blue route and the vine. The blue route also clear this morning. Unfortunately, our big problem is out of Lawrence Township. For drivers in new jersey. This of new jersey. 206 is closed. Chris . After the snow moves through well be left with a brutal cold snap but will the falling gas and Oil Prices Make a difference in your heating bill . A lot of people are wondering that. If you heat your home with oil, yes, you will enjoy some lower prices. But if you have a major energy supplier, its a little more complicated. P peco said the gas and weather impact the cost. Theyll see an increase of about 5. 50. Ready for liftoff. The local classroom experiment that is getting a Second Chance this morning. The move that a major pet store is making to protect your pets. Ring ring progresso its ok that your soup tastes like my homemade. Its our slow simmered vegetables and tender white meat chicken. Apology accepted. Im watching you soup people. Make it progresso or make it yourself. And try progresso chili. Slowsimmered, homemade taste. Four minutes before 5 00. Happening today, nasa says an unmanned rocket is expected to lift off at 6 20 and it will carry supplies and also carry science experiments from students at Ocean City High School. Nasas previous attempt ended in an explosion in october, remember that. And the students experiments were destroyed. They rebuilt a new batch for this launch. Ted greenberg is watching the launch with the students at Ocean City High School and well hear from them starting on nbc 10 news this afternoon at 4 00. Petco is removing all chinese made dog food and treats from their stores because concern that they killed 1,000 dogs and caused thousands of other pets to get sick since 2007. Remember when that first started happening. The food and Drug Administration has not been able to link the treats with the illnesses or the deaths. Petsmart says it plans to have the treats off store shelves by march. At 4 57. An important digital exclusive on the flu. Experts say this week is going to be the worst when it comes to flu and flulike cases in philadelphia and the region as a whole. Thats according to a forecast from clum beuniversity. Health Officials Say the virus is rampant in most of the country right now including this area. Pennsylvania new jersey and delaware are just three of the 43 states reporting widespread and intense flu activity. Flu season started early this winter as it has for the past two years. So far the centers for Disease Control and prevention report 21 children have died from the flu. This season seems similar to that of two years ago ewhen the flu peaked by early january. So, what is the flu really like in this area . We spoke to experts where the rivirus stands and three things you can do to avoid falling to the virus this year. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has been causing quite the controversy here in eagles land with his continued presence and cheering at Dallas Cowboys games. He has been attending these games on the cowboys owner dime and not taxpayers. Im not sure as a cowboy hate the governor has attended three games as the guest of ownery jones. The most recent being sundays cowboys lions game. Jerry jones provided the transportation and equipment. No expense to state taxpayers, but some believe that christie is making a political move with these appearances as he a run for president. Thats interesting. Good luck to christie and those cowboys at Lambeau Field this coming weekend. That should be fun. Nbc 10 news today at 5 00 a. M. Starts right now. Nbc 10 first auualert weather breaking news. We are tracking snow as we get red for a blast of winter weather. Nbc 10 first alert weather radar is showing us what is heading our way. Not the amount of snow that is the problem, the timing. A live look outside at i95 south philadelphia and were looking at snow moving in just near the start of the morning rush this morning. Good morning, welcome to nbc 10 news today. Im chris cato. Im tracy davidson. To prepare you for days like this we issue you an nbc 10 first alert. The weather symbol at the bottom of your screen a new feature so youre not caught off guard when challenging weather hits. Of the tools in our tool box this morning. The entire First Alert Weather Team tracking this storm and the impact it will have on your commute and your Community Across the area. As a lot of people are getting ready for this. Again, a small amount and bill henley in the weather center. This is a clipper. A fast moving storm system that brings us light snowfall. Im looking at one to two inches by the time this one tapers off this afternoon. And were still waiting for the first snowflake that is going to take some time. We may be waiting in philadelphia close to two hours before we start seeing some snow. But we are tracking it and it issing our way. Clouds are overhead. Indeed, it is a first alert weather day. Snow arrives. First in the western suburbs and well see it start between 6 00 and 7 00 this morning and then slowly the Morning Hours spread into new jersey and then we could see accumulation during the day. One to two inches is