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A powerful winter storm is bearing down on Pennsylvania, Modern Jersey, and Delaware, threatening to bring heavy snowfall, damaging winds, and coastal flooding. Philadelphia officials have declared a state of emergency as the region prepares for what could be one of the most severe weather events in recent years. The storm is expected to initiate with rain before transitioning to snow as temperatures plummet, creating hazardous conditions for travel and daily life.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for communities in the Pennsylvania suburbs, including Philadelphia County. The heaviest snowfall is forecast to occur Sunday night and continue into Monday, potentially accumulating 8 to 18 inches across the region. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds will significantly reduce visibility and create dangerous travel conditions.

State of Emergency and Travel Restrictions

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced a state of emergency effective 4 p.m. On Sunday, February 22, 2026. This declaration triggers restrictions on vehicle access to designated snow emergency routes. Vehicles parked on these routes may be subject to fines or towing, according to city officials. A complete list of snow emergency routes and information regarding towing procedures can be found on the city’s website, Phila.gov.

To facilitate parking during the emergency, the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) will offer a discounted flat rate of $5 for 24-hour parking at several Center City locations starting at 9:00 a.m. On Sunday, February 22nd, and continuing until the snow emergency is lifted. Participating garages include AutoPark at Independence Mall (5th & Market Streets), AutoPark at Jefferson (10th & Ludlow Streets), AutoPark in the Fashion District (10th & Filbert Streets), AutoPark in Ancient City (2nd & Sansom Streets), and Parking at the 8 (801 Filbert Street). Customers must present their parking ticket and pay at the PPA administration office within each garage to receive the discounted rate.

School and Government Closures

The School District of Philadelphia will transition to virtual learning on Monday, February 23, 2026, and all school buildings will be closed. All extracurricular activities, including sports programs and scheduled professional development sessions, have also been canceled. City administrative buildings and Philadelphia courts will also be closed to the public on Monday, impacting non-essential city services such as those provided by L&I, Revenue, and Water departments, as well as Neighborhood Community Action Centers.

Sanitation services will be disrupted. Trash collection is suspended for Monday and Tuesday and will be delayed by two days throughout the week. Back-door trash collection is also suspended, and areas that normally receive a second trash collection during the week will only receive one.

Potential Impacts and Safety Precautions

The storm is expected to bring 12 to 18 inches of snow to coastal areas of southern New Jersey and Delaware. Philadelphia and surrounding areas, along with the interior of southern New Jersey and the rest of Delaware, are forecast to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow. Authorities warn that blizzard conditions will make travel extremely difficult, if not impossible, due to reduced visibility. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph along the coast, potentially downing trees and causing power outages. Coastal flooding and beach erosion are also possible.

Officials are urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. They recommend dressing in layers with thermal clothing, sweaters, waterproof jackets, hats, gloves, and appropriate boots. Residents are advised to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit including non-perishable food, drinking water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and blankets. It’s also recommended to check the functionality of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and ensure adequate ventilation if using alternative heating sources. Vehicle owners should fill their gas tanks and prepare emergency kits with a shovel, sand or salt, jumper cables, blankets, warm clothing, water, food, and portable chargers.

Transportation Updates

SEPTA advises that service conditions may change rapidly during the storm. The agency states that the best option for continuous service is on the L and B lines, which operate underground or on dedicated tracks. SEPTA is staging railcars in tunnels and maintenance yards to ensure service availability. Metro routes T, G, D, and M will operate as conditions allow. Bus service may be suspended if streets become impassable, and routes will be restored one by one as snow is cleared. The latest service updates can be found on SEPTA.org and septa.org/alerts. Customer service agents will be available at 215-580-7800 with extended hours on Sunday (8 a.m. To 5 p.m.) and Monday (6 a.m. To 7 p.m.).

Travelers planning to use Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) are advised to check their flight status and road conditions before departing. Airline contact information is available at 1-800-PHL-GATE (745-4283) or on the airport’s website, PHL.org. The airport is preparing to remove snow during the storm.

The city has deployed two snow-melting teams and anticipates having 1,000 personnel and 800 pieces of equipment working to clear roads at the peak of the storm.

As the storm approaches, residents are encouraged to stay informed and heed the advice of local authorities. The situation remains dynamic, and further updates will be provided as they become available. Please share this information with your neighbors and loved ones to ensure everyone is prepared for the challenging weather conditions ahead.

A substantial villa in Maiernigg am Wörthersee, Carinthia, has been listed for sale, offering approximately 600 square meters of living space across seven rooms and set on a 5,000 square meter plot of land. The property is being marketed as a “unique luxury domicile in idyllic nature” according to the listing on willhaben.at, an Austrian online classifieds platform.

While the asking price has not been publicly disclosed, the property’s size and location suggest a significant investment. Maiernigg, situated on the shores of the Wörthersee lake, is a sought-after residential area known for its scenic beauty and proximity to Klagenfurt, the capital of Carinthia.

Potential buyers would benefit from the area’s blend of tranquility and accessibility, with nearby restaurants and amenities in Klagenfurt easily reachable. The listing highlights the convenience of accessing local dining and leisure options, including opportunities for lakeside activities. A public beach, Strandbad Maiernigg, with a restaurant is located a short distance from the property, accessible via a pathway and stairs leading down to the Wörthersee-Süduferstraße.

The Wörthersee region is currently experiencing activity in the real estate market, with other properties available in the area. These include a 110 square meter apartment with a view, listed for €1.590.000, and a lakefront apartment boasting a “bombastic” terrace and exclusive beach access. A forested parcel of land in nearby Goritschitzen/Maiernigg is also being offered for sale.

Students at Iranian universities clashed with pro-government groups on Saturday, marking a resurgence of protests coinciding with traditional mourning ceremonies for those killed during last month’s anti-government demonstrations. The demonstrations, which took place at multiple institutions across the country, represent the most significant unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

At Tehran’s Sharif University of Technology, video footage reportedly showed students marching and denouncing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “murderous leader,” whereas calling for the return of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran, as a potential monarch. The calls for a return to a monarchy echo a sentiment that has grown among some opposition groups, though Pahlavi remains in exile.

State-affiliated news agency SNN broadcast videos depicting confrontations at the same university, alleging that protesters injured members of the Basij, a volunteer militia often deployed to suppress dissent. The Basij, linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, frequently assists security forces in managing and dispersing protests.

Reports from rights group HAALVSH, which Reuters has not independently verified, indicated protests also occurred at Beheshti and Amir Kabir universities in Tehran, as well as Mashhad University in northeastern Iran. In Abdanan, a town in western Iran that has been a focal point of unrest, demonstrators chanted slogans including “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator” following the arrest of a local teacher activist, according to Hengaw, a human rights organization and social media reports.

The protests are occurring approximately 40 days after the deaths of protesters during previous demonstrations, a period traditionally marked by mourning ceremonies in Iranian culture. The recent wave of unrest began in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in the custody of Iran’s morality police after being arrested for allegedly violating dress code rules. The ensuing protests quickly broadened into a wider challenge to the authority of the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian Revolution, which culminated in 1979, saw the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty and the establishment of an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The current unrest represents a significant challenge to the Islamic Republic’s authority, with protesters voicing grievances over economic hardship, social restrictions, and political repression. The 1979 revolution itself involved widespread demonstrations, strikes, and civil resistance, ultimately leading to the fall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Following the 1979 revolution, Iranian universities underwent a period of significant change. A “Cultural Revolution” between 1981 and 1987 saw universities closed for three years, as the novel government sought to purge institutions of Western influences and ensure ideological conformity. The government subsequently expanded access to higher education, but also implemented policies aimed at controlling curricula and student activities.

As of Sunday, there has been no official statement from the Iranian government regarding the latest protests.