12/01/2025
Authorities are bracing for what likely will be the season's first significant snowfall
By PATRICK CLOONAN
For The Leader Times
Map courtesy of AccuWeather
Authorities across Pennsylvania are bracing for what likely will be the first significant snowfall of winter 2025-26.
The Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said a storm that is fast moving into the Keystone State from the Midwest will bring a heavy, wet snow that was to begin late Monday and continue into Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh said a Winter Weather Advisory spans from Arkansas to New York, including the entire Western Pennsylvania forecast area, for what generally will be three to five inches of snow in most areas.
Exceptions include the Mon Valley southeast of Pittsburgh through Morgantown, where rain may mix in with snow Tuesday morning, lowering snow totals to one to two inches, and across the Laurels and Allegheny mountains where snow may changeover to freezing rain for a period, causing a light glaze of ice.
PennDOT and PA Turnpike said their crews are actively pre-treating roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm.
However, they said, salt does not resolve all risks, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form.
NWS forecasters said widespread snow should rapidly end late Tuesday morning, with lingering showers diminishing through the afternoon.
Also, PennDOT will implement various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm, beginning at 5 a.m. Tuesday, but especially in central to northeastern parts of the state, in accordance with Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:
Tractors without trailers; Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers; Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers;
Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV (commercial motor vehicle); Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers; Recreational vehicles/motorhomes; School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches; and motorcycles.
While avoiding or delaying unnecessary travel during winter storms is the safest choice, PennDOT offers this advice if motorists must travel and encounter snow squalls or blowing or drifting snow:
• Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits conditions.
• Turn on your headlights. If caught in a snow squall, turn on your hazard lights.
• Stay in your lane and increase your following distance.
• Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient.
• Do not drive distracted; your full attention is required.
• Use your defroster and wipers.
• Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.
• During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely pull off the roadway.
• Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could cause a chain-reaction collision.
• Do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely.
• Always buckle up and never drive impaired.
• Have an emergency kit handy. PennDOT officials say a basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should account for special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.
• Stay at least six car lengths behind an operating plow truck and remember that the main plow is wider than the truck.
• Be alert since plow trucks generally travel much more slowly than other traffic.
• When a plow truck is traveling toward you, move as far away from the center of the road as is safely possible, and remember that snow can obscure the actual snow plow width.
• Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a "plow train." The weight of the snow thrown from the plow can quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard for nearby vehicles.
• Never travel next to a plow truck since there are blind spots where the operator can't see, and they can occasionally be moved sideways when hitting drifts or heavy snowpack.
• Keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle. Also remember that under Pennsylvania state law, vehicle lights must be on every time a vehicle's wipers are on due to inclement weather.
The Pennsylvania State Police offers this advice if a motorist is involved in a crash:
• First and foremost, move the vehicle as far as possible from the travel lanes if can be driven.
• If a vehicle cannot be driven due to damage, or if one of the involved parties is injured, state law requires the crash be reported to police. Do this by dialing 911 right away.
• If your vehicle is disabled in the lane of travel or stuck in the travel lanes due to snow or ice, remain inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on and hazard lights activated. If it’s not safe to remain inside your vehicle, assess the situation and get yourself and passengers to a place of safety such as behind a barrier or guardrail. When exiting your vehicle, move as quickly as possible and DO NOT remain in the travel lanes or near your vehicle.
• When encountering a crash scene, the law requires you to move over if possible and always slow down. First responders will be active at the scene and focused on helping those involved in the crash and getting the road back open.
The law requires drivers to remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk, and roof within 24 hours after the storm has ended. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Drivers in violation of the law are subject to a fine of $50. Additionally, drivers can be cited up to $1,500 if snow or ice is dislodged and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious injury.
Patrick Cloonan is a staff reporter for the Indiana Gazette, a fellow Sample News Group-owned newspaper of the Leader Times.
