Winter Storm Hits Northern Pennsylvania; Drivers Urged to Stay Off Roads

A winter storm is set to impact northern Pennsylvania starting Wednesday evening, prompting the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to advise motorists to avoid unnecessary travel. The storm is expected to begin as snow in the northwest, gradually moving eastward through Thursday and Friday. Areas like Erie and Crawford counties may face snowfall rates of up to one inch per hour, combined with wind gusts exceeding 30 mph, which could lead to whiteout conditions and hazardous drifting.

To manage the anticipated challenges, PennDOT announced that Tier 1 travel restrictions will commence at 12:01 a.m. on November 27, 2023. These restrictions will apply to the full lengths of Interstate 86 and Interstate 90, limiting access for certain vehicle types until conditions improve. Vehicles banned from affected roadways include:

– Tractors without trailers
– Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded trailers
– Unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks
– Passenger vehicles towing trailers
– Recreational vehicles and motorhomes
– School buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches
– Motorcycles

Speed limits on restricted routes will be reduced to 45 mph, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must remain in the right lane. PennDOT officials have indicated that further restrictions may be implemented if conditions worsen.

Motorists are encouraged to utilize resources such as 511PA, roadside message boards, and the 511PA app for real-time updates on road conditions. Personalized alerts are also available for those who need them. While the agency strongly recommends staying off the roads, it has provided guidance for those who must travel. This includes maintaining slow speeds, increasing following distances, using headlights, and avoiding sudden lane changes.

In the event of a snow squall, drivers should activate hazard lights and refrain from stopping in traffic unless they can safely pull off the roadway. During whiteout conditions, PennDOT warns against attempting to pass slow-moving vehicles or accelerating to evade tailgaters. Drivers must also clear their vehicles of ice and snow, as required by state law.

Snow-removal crews will be active throughout the storm. PennDOT cautions drivers to maintain a safe distance—six car lengths—behind plow trucks, avoid their blind spots, and never attempt to overtake plows, especially when they are operating in coordinated “plow trains.”

Last winter, Pennsylvania witnessed a total of 8,329 crashes on snowy or icy roads, resulting in 29 fatalities and 2,959 injuries. Officials noted that 17 of the fatalities involved drivers traveling too fast for conditions. The Pennsylvania State Police have urged motorists involved in accidents to move their vehicles out of traffic if possible, call 911 if there are injuries or disabled vehicles, and remain inside their vehicles with seat belts fastened if stuck in travel lanes.

State law requires drivers to remove accumulated snow and ice from their vehicles within 24 hours after a storm, with violations subject to a $50 fine. Penalties can escalate to $1,500 if dislodged ice causes serious injury or death.

As the storm approaches, state officials emphasize that the storm’s intensity may vary across regions. The overarching message remains clear: plan ahead, prepare emergency kits, and stay home whenever possible.