Philadelphia is bracing for a potentially historic winter storm, with forecasts predicting 18 to 24 inches of snow. A blizzard warning has been issued as the storm threatens to rank among the city's top 10 snowstorms, though it's not expected to surpass the Blizzard of 1996. The storm will begin as rain before transitioning to heavy snow by midday Sunday. Strong wind gusts, potentially reaching up to 45 mph, will create blizzard-like conditions, severely reducing visibility and making travel extremely hazardous. Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and take precautions to ensure their safety.