Winter storm closes schools, causes hassles in Pa.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia is digging out from another winter storm after as much as 7 inches of snow blanketed the City of Brotherly Love overnight.

City and suburban schools shut down Wednesday and a snow emergency is in effect in Philadelphia. The National Weather Service reported 7 inches of snow in the city’s Somerton neighborhood, with 5 inches reported closer to downtown.

PennDOT spokesman Charles Metzger said the timing of the storm couldn’t have been much better. With snow ending in southeastern Pennsylvania around 2 a.m., plows had plenty of time to hit the roads ahead of commuters.

About 120 people spent the night at Philadelphia International Airport after flight cancelations, but most departing flights made it out. Airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica says 26 outbound flights were canceled, along with about 100 arrivals, but the airport should be fully operational by about noon.