Winter Weather Warning: PennDOT Implements Travel Restrictions as Local Authorities Declare Snow Emergencies

(This report has been revised to incorporate new details.)

Multiple municipalities in York County have announced a snow emergency for Sunday, Jan. 19 as a winter storm approaches south-central Pennsylvania.

As of 8 a.m. on Saturday, Penn Township, Shrewsbury, East Prospect, and New Freedom had issued snow emergency declarations in press releases, as the National Weather Service in State College indicated that the region could receive 3 to 7 inches throughout the day, with an additional 1 to 2 inches expected in the evening. Paradise Township was one of the first to declare a snow emergency on Saturday.

Numerous events and activities have been canceled or postponed. Please verify before venturing out.

Travel limitations

In the meantime, PennDOT has enforced Tier 1 vehicle restrictions effective from 6 a.m. on the following routes:

• PA Turnpike I-76 from Carlisle (Exit 226) to Morgantown (Exit 298).

• I-81 from the Maryland border to I-78 (Exit 89).

Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are prohibited on impacted roadways:

• Tractors without trailers.

• Tractors towing unenclosed or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers, or tank trailers.

• Tractors towing unenclosed or lightly loaded tandem trailers.

• Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that qualify as a CMV.

• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.

• Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.

• School buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches.

The snowfall may be substantial at times. Forecasters estimate temperatures will drop to around 27 by 5 p.m., with a north wind at 7 to 13 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. The maximum temperatures will be in the teens for most of the week.

This is an evolving situation. Please check back for further updates.

More: Explore a webcam tour of weather conditions in south-central PA area

This article initially appeared in York Daily Record: Travel restrictions and local snow emergencies issued in PA