With a winter weather forecast of snow and ice leading to treacherous trips, especially tonight and overnight, Governor Tom Wolf asks the Pennsylvanians to follow local predictions and avoid or cut back on travel.
“Safety is of paramount importance during these prolonged winter storms,” said Governor Wolf. “Government agencies, including PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), as well as local communities are working to prepare roads and melt snow and ice to facilitate travel. However, the more we stay away from the streets, the easier their work will be and the safer we will make our state. “
The snowfall rate can hit an inch or two per hour for short periods tonight and tonight, in addition to the heavy sleet north of I-80. In areas generally south of I-80 and in Poconos, ice accumulation can exceed ¼ of an inch, especially at higher elevations. This can lead to sporadic power outages.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) advised Pennsylvanians to write, print, or save toll-free outage hotlines for their electricity company and / or natural gas company that are listed on their monthly bills and posted on the PUC website. The PUC also encourages Pennsylvanians to call their utility company in the event of an outage and not assume that someone else has already done so.
The weather system will divide the state from northwest to southeast. Snow is expected in the northwest, and more of a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected as the weather moves southeast over the state. While most of the precipitation ends around daybreak on Tuesday, the effects will continue into the morning hours, which include many slippery surfaces.
“People need to be careful when venturing out during this storm as conditions will change over time,” said Randy Padfield, PEMA director. “PEMA and our government partners are ready for another winter storm and we encourage motorists to do the same.”
Drivers can check conditions on more than 40,000 miles of road, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, with one visit www.511PA.com. 511PA is free and available 24/7. It offers warnings of traffic delays, weather forecasts, information on traffic speed and access to more than 950 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a free smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1 or following regional Twitter notifications available on the 511PA website.
For more information on PennDOT’s winter preparations and additional resources on winter driving for motorists, visit the department’s winter website. www.PennDOT.gov/winter. The PA Turnpike will notify motorists of full, system-wide vehicle restrictions due to take effect at 6 p.m. tonight.
From 6 p.m. today Tier 1 of the Commonwealth Weather Event Vehicle Restriction Plan applies to the entire length of Interstate 76 (main line from PA Turnpike) and all extensions. To the west, these include Turnpike 43 (Mon-Fayette Expressway), Turnpike 66 (Greensburger Umgehungsstraße), Turnpike 576 (Southern Beltway) and Toll 376 (Beaver Valley Expressway). In the east, these include Interstate 276, Interstate 95 and Interstate 476 (Northeastern Extension). More details on turnpike restrictions can be found here Here.
If homeowners or renters are struggling to keep up with home energy bills, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers home heating bills assistance so Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. The 2020-21 LIHEAP season runs through April 9, 2021. Pennsylvanians can apply online at for LIHEAP and other public service programs www.compass.state.pa.us. Those who prefer to submit paper applications can print one from the website and pick one up from a local County Assistance Office (CAO) while they are closed, or request an application by calling 1-800-692-7462 and mailing it to their CAO or dropping it on a CAO’s secure drop box if available. All Pennsylvanians struggling to pay utility bills are encouraged to apply for LIHEAP to cover these balances, even if the moratorium on turning off electricity remains in place.
“I ask everyone to observe the weather forecast, hear instructions from emergency officers and plan accordingly,” said Governor Wolf.
