PA’s Winter Woes: Navigating Travel Bans and Snow Emergencies

(This report was updated to include new information.)

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

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, Penn Township, Shrewsbury, East Prospect, and New Freedom had announced snow emergencies in press releases as the National Weather Service in State College indicated that the area could receive 4 to 8 inches during the day with an extra inch anticipated in the evening. Paradise Township was among the initial ones to declare a snow emergency Saturday.

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

Speed reductions

PennDOT is temporarily lowering the speed limit on several roads in the south-central Pennsylvania area.

Speed limits have been reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:

• Interstate 83 from the Maryland state boundary to Interstate 81 (entire length).
• Interstate 81 from the Maryland state boundary to the Schuylkill County line at Mile 96.8.
• Interstate 78 from Interstate 81 to just east of the Berks County border at Mile 9.7.
• Interstate 283 from Interstate 76 to Interstate 83 (entire length).

On roadways with speed limitations, commercial vehicles not affected by these or other restrictions must shift to the right lane.

Travel restrictions

PennDOT enacted Tier 1 vehicle restrictions as of 6 a.m. on the following roadways:

• I-83, entire length.
• I-283, entire length.
• 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 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.
• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.
• Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.
• School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches.
• Motorcycles.

The snowfall could be heavy at intervals. Temperatures are forecasted to drop to around 27 by 5 p.m., with a north wind at 7 to 13 mph, with gusts reaching as high as 21 mph. High temperatures will linger in the teens for much of the upcoming week.

This is an evolving story. Return for updates.

More: Explore a web-cam tour of south-central PA area weather conditions