ABOUT 2 FEET OF SNOW EXPECTED
State, local agencies prepare for blizzard
Ahead of a Nor’easter expected to dump up to 2 feet of snow across the tricounty area, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed a proclamation of disaster emergency and deployed members of the National Guard to help in the response, while state and local officials brace for the storm.
A blizzard warning will be in effect for much of the region beginning at 8 p.m. Monday lasting until 6 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasts call for strong winds and heavy precipitation coming from the southwest to the northeast beginning late Monday lasting through Tuesday afternoon, leaving behind 18-24 inches of snow. Heavy snowfall rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour are expected Tuesday morning before the storm tapers off later in the day, according to the National Weather Service.
The heavy snow combined with blowing and drifting are expected to make many roads impassable. Winds are expected to stay between 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Visibility will
be about less than a quarter mile for several hours. Whiteout conditions are expected. Temperatures will remain in the mid 20s, the weather service reports.
Wolf announced early Monday afternoon PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike would restrict speeds on interstates and some large commercial vehicular travel. Empty trailers, towed trailers, buses, RVs and motorcycles were banned from those roadways until Tuesday evening.
Approximately 700 National Guard members were being deployed, along with more than 2,000 snow plows, Wolf also said.
PennDOT would strategically
deploy assets to areas expected to be hardest hit by the storm, including the Northeast, Poconos and Lehigh Valley, according to a press release.
Wolf’s proclamation was not a ‘state of emergency,’ as it does not prohibit vehicular travel on state roads, but motorists are strongly encouraged to delay all unnecessary travel and heed local road closures that may be in place. A proclamation ensures emergency resources can be procured as needed and increases protections for consumers from pricegouging, the release states.
“State agencies continue to take proactive steps to ensure Pennsylvania is ready for the incoming winter weather and Pennsylvanians should take their own precautions and prepare for adverse conditions, especially for travel,” Wolf said
in the release. “We are preparing for the most significant part of the storm to hit the eastern half of the state from Monday night through Tuesday’s commute with significant winds to follow and cause additional concerns. I ask residents and commercial drivers across the commonwealth to prepare to avoid unnecessary travel on roadways during this time — as to let road crews and emergency responders do their jobs and minimize dangerous travel.”
Over 400 state and contractor plow trucks would be tackling the flakes as they fell. Crews pretreated roadways Sunday and Monday, which should help, PennDOT spokesman Brad Rudolph said.
Beginning at 10 p.m. Monday PennDOT announced it would reduce
speed limits to 45 mph and temporarily restrict certain vehicles from interstates and expressways in eastern Pennsylvania.
“It’s going to be a strong storm,” Rudolph said. “We urge motorists to sit this one out if they can.”
Drivers who do decide to make the trek outside can expect “passable” roads but not bare, he said, cautioning drivers to watch their speed and give plow trucks plenty of space. He also suggested packing a winter emergency kit, which includes nonperishable food, water, medications, blankets, a small shovel, warm clothes and a flashlight.
“Just be safe,” Rudolph said. “This is a really serious storm and it has the potential to be very dangerous.”
Mass transit is also expected to face disruption
because of the storm.
SEPTA announced on its website Monday that the Regional Rail System will operate on a Saturday schedule Tuesday, and the following bus routes will operate on weather-related detours: 14, 2017: 7, 9, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35, 38, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 65, 70, 73, 84, 88, 92, 94, 95, 97, 99, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 117, 118, 119, 120, 124, 125, 126, G, H, XH, J, K, and L.
Amtrak is announcing reduced service on parts of the Northeast Corridor ahead of a winter storm.
The rail line said in a news release Monday that there will be limited Acela Express service between New York City and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Northeast Regional service will run on a modified schedule, with some trains
reduced or cancelled.
Some long-distance trains that travel along the Northeast Corridor might also be affected.
Passengers are urged to monitor Amtrak.com for updated information.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County issued a code blue declaration extension beginning at noon Monday, March 13 through 9 a.m. Friday, March 17. A code blue cold weather declaration is made in Montgomery County when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals without shelter. A code blue is called when the combination of air temperature and wind chill is anticipated to be 20 degrees or less.