HARRISBURG – A winter storm that could bring a variety of winter conditions, including significant icing for parts of the commonwealth on Friday, means that motorists should take extra care and be alert for the potential of downed tree limbs or power lines.
“This storm will bring a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain to much of the state, and we are working with the National Weather Service and county emergency managers in monitoring weather conditions to determine its potential impact,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Robert P.
French. “Road conditions may deteriorate over the early morning hours, and we are urging motorists to drive defensively as they travel.”
Motorists should allow extra time to reach their destinations, increase following distances between vehicles and remember that while four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles may help your vehicle’s forward progress in snow or other slippery road conditions, it does nothing to help stop the vehicle any faster on ice.
“Since sleet and freezing rain are predicted for large portions of the commonwealth, conditions could become treacherous,” said State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller. “If possible, avoid traveling during the height of the storm, and anyone who must travel should allow plenty of time to reach their destination and plenty of space between vehicles.”
“PennDOT crews are monitoring road conditions and will be working to keep roadways passable,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “This storm presents another opportunity to remind drivers to use common sense while traveling in bad weather and to allow our crews the clearance they need to treat roadways across the state.”
Icy precipitation could also lead to downed trees and power lines. Those experiencing a loss of power are encouraged to call their electric utility immediately and report the outage.
The best bet is to avoid unnecessary travel when heavy ice is forecast, but if you must travel, PennDOT encourages motorist to pack an emergency travel kit and to monitor weather forecasts. Some of the basic items that should be included in an emergency travel kit include: first aid supplies, non-perishable food, water, warm clothes, a blanket and a small snow shovel.
PennDOT reminds motorists that its new travel information page, which is available at www.dot.state.pa.us by clicking on traveler information, offers a variety of useful tools, including current weather-related travel conditions and closures on Pennsylvania interstates. The site also provides links to PennDOT traffic cameras, roadway weather information systems and real-time weather conditions.
Motorists are also reminded that interstate road conditions are available by calling PennDOT’s Interstate Road Condition Hotline at 1-888-783-6783 for in-state callers or 717-783-5186 for out-of-state callers. Information on the hotline is updated every 15 minutes.