The upcoming weekend promises to be a snowy one for Pennsylvania, with the National Weather Service forecasting significant snowfall. Residents are being urged to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Lt. Colonel George Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, emphasized, “If you don’t need to be on the roads, please stay home.”
Mike Carroll, the State Transportation Secretary, also advised residents to enjoy the NFL games from the comfort of their homes, even if local teams like the Eagles and Steelers aren’t playing. “My preference would be a Sunday stay home day,” Carroll suggested.
In preparation for the storm, Governor Josh Shapiro has signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency to allocate resources for storm preparation and response.
Snowfall Timing and Duration
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning starting at 1 a.m. Sunday, lasting until 7 p.m. Monday. The heaviest snowfall is expected between 7 a.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday in Northeast Pennsylvania, beginning as early as 10 p.m. Saturday in Central Pennsylvania areas.
Projected Snowfall Totals
Different areas will experience varying snowfall amounts, but much of the region can expect at least 12 inches. Snowfall is anticipated to start early Sunday and last until Monday evening, with rates potentially reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour by Sunday afternoon.
- The NWS Office in Binghamton, N.Y. forecasts between 12 to 18 inches in Northeast Pennsylvania, including Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Pike counties.
- In New York, areas from Binghamton east to the Catskills and Hudson Valley could see 18 inches or more.
- The NWS Office in State College expects 10 to 18 inches in Central Pennsylvania.
- The NWS Office on Mount Holly, N.J. predicts 12 to 18 inches in Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh, and Northampton counties, with a possible light glaze of ice.
“Just expect, in this event, one or two inches per hour rates, with chances for up to three during peak storm timeframes,” stated Kaitlyn Lardeo, a meteorologist with NWS Binghamton.
The storm is expected to be predominantly snow, with a snow to liquid ratio of 15 to 1, producing dry and fluffy snow.
National Weather Service Binghamton, N.Y. office
Prepare for Bitter Cold
Beyond heavy snow, Pennsylvanians should brace for extreme cold and wind chills from Friday evening through Monday morning. Temperatures could drop to 1 degree in Hazleton and Honesdale and 4 degrees in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. This cold snap is expected to persist throughout the week.
Travel Restrictions in Effect
Transportation authorities and law enforcement are advising against travel on Sunday and Monday, emphasizing safety. Starting at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Tier 4 commercial vehicle restrictions will be enforced. This means that commercial vehicles will be prohibited on the entire Interstate network, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and major roadways.
Details about these restrictions will be shared via digital highway message boards, the 511PA traveler information website, and mobile apps. Drivers can also subscribe for personalized alerts.
Restrictions will be lifted as conditions improve, according to officials. “We are already pre-treating roads in anticipation of the storm, and we will be working around the clock to keep our roads safe and passable,” Carroll stated. However, he warned that snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour during the storm’s peak will pose challenges for plowing operations.
“It’s worth reminding folks that PennDOT has 44,000 miles of roadway. So it’s an impossible assignment for them to be bare and clear during the entire storm,” Carroll added. PennDOT’s plows will prioritize Interstate and high-volume roadways before addressing secondary roads.
Drivers can check the 511 PA website to see where plows have been and the recency of road clearing.
