SEPTA closed down all but two subway lines and the parking authority restricted where motorists could leave their vehicles. Watch video
PHILADELPHIA -- With transportation virtually non-existent and parking highly restricted, Philadelphians either braved the elements on foot or hunkered down indoors for the second act of this weekend's blizzard.
PhillyVoice reported that multiple news reporters who hit the streets to discuss the weather faced being pelting with snowballs in the city that once booed Santa Claus.
"For those working at local stations, this is probably not unexpected. But for the national media, it might come as a surprise," PhillyVoice reported.
TV reporters are under attack in Philadelphia! pic.twitter.com/s9nibhla7h
-- Dan McQuade (@dhm) January 23, 2016
Not even national reporters are safe from snowball attacks in Philadelphia! pic.twitter.com/aiViNSRY78
-- Dan McQuade (@dhm) January 23, 2016
A morning update from the National Weather Service (NWS) predicted high snowfall Saturday that could eventually total more than two feet in some northern reaches of the city.
The weather advisory predicted one to two feet of snow in the southern and eastern areas of the city. Winds would remain at around 20 to 30 mph throughout the day Saturday and could reach as high as 45 mph.
"Make some soup and don't go out," Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said Saturday, Philly.com reported.
It seemed like going out would be difficult anyway.
The flurry of snow severely restricted transportation throughout the city starting early Saturday morning. The city's alert service, Philly311, said the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) suspended all of its buses and trolleys in the city until Sunday. The only public transportation running were two subway lines.
Additionally, the Philadelphia Parking Authority set up snow emergency routes throughout the city and promised to tow anyone whose car was parked along those streets. For other street parking, the city opted to not ticket cars for meter or time because of the storm.
Restaurants, museums and grocery stores shut down for the day while some heeded authorities' orders to stay off the roads.
Others did not.
The scent of burnt rubber wasn't hard to find during a slough through South Philly. Vehicles mired in snow spun wheels ceaselessly in an attempt to get free. Other motorists who fortunately had shovels handy went to work attempting to free vehicles often stuck in the middle of one-way streets.
Other residents made the most of the snowfall, either sledding down small mounds made by plows taking the opportunity to hike through a city washed in white.
The snow is expected to continue throughout the afternoon Saturday and die off slowly by the evening, according to the NWS. By the time it's all over, the city may receive as much snow as they would in a normal winter.
Supervising report Greg Adomaitis contributed to this report
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.