Philadelphia’s managing director Michael DiBerardinis announced that a snow emergency will be in effect starting at 9 p.m. Friday night.

With the threat of 12 to 18 inches of snow coming from the National Weather Service, the Philadelphia International Airport, SEPTA and many others have announced cancelations and closures over the weekend due to the impending snow. The city’s announcement came Friday afternoon.

"Once Snow Emergency starts, we ask all Philadelphians to stay indoors and off the road." -Managing Dir. #PHLsnow pic.twitter.com/2vjqreQPoo

— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) January 22, 2016

In a snow emergency, residents will not be able to park their cars on designated snow emergency routes. The city also asked that cars be parked as far away from corners as possible as they can get in the way of snow plows trying to maneuver the streets. Information about snow emergency routes can be found on The Philadelphia Streets Department’s website (www.philadelphiastreets.com)

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will not enforce meters or time limits after 9 p.m. except for the aforementioned snow emergency routes. If you would like to avoid parking in the streets, the parking authority will offer a flat-rate of $5.00 for the next 24-hours at the following parking sites:

• AutoPark at JFK (16th & JFK)​
• AutoPark at Independence Mall (5th & Market Streets)
•  AutoPark at Jefferson (10th & Ludlow Streets)
• Autopark at the Gallery Mall (10th & Filbert Streets)
• Autopark at 8th & Filbert Streets Garage (801 Filbert Street)
• AutoPark at Old City (2nd & Sansom Streets)
• Philadelphia Family Court Garage (1503-11 Arch Street – Going south on 15th Street, enter the garage on the west side just after 15th & Cherry St.)
• Gateway Parking Garage (1540 Vine Street)

To receive the discounted $5 rate, customers must bring their ticket and pay at the PPA Management Office in each garage.

The city is encouraging residents to stay aware of any homeless persons or animals in need of help during the snowstorm. The Project Home Outreach Hotline is 215-232-1984. The Animal Care and Control Team hotline is 267-385-3800.

City libraries and recreation centers will not be open during the weekend.

Residents can stay up to date on alerts and weather updates at www.phila.gov/ready.