Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS
Shown are the snow-covered rooftops of the Mifflintown Courthouse and Messiah Lutheran Church on Saturday. AccuWeather predicts more inclement weather in Mifflin and Juniata counties today.
From Staff Reports
LEWISTOWN — According to The National Weather Service, State College, has issued a Winter Weather Advisory today for multiple central Pennsylvania counties including Mifflin and Juniata counties for an expected snow event.
Phil Lucas, the director of the Mifflin County Office of Public Safety, said that Mifflin and Juniata counties in addition to others should expect to see nearly 3 inches of snow starting early this morning and lasting through the day.
The National Weather service stated that drivers should beware slippery roads and hazardous travel conditions today.
Lucas added that light to moderate winds today will result in very cold wind chills overnight with much colder gusting winds Saturday.
Accuweather predicts winds to reach 6-9 miles per hour today and 13-17 mph Saturday. Also, today’s temperatures range from a low of 15 to a high of 29 with wind chill dropping temperatures as low as 20 early Saturday morning.
According to Accuweather and National Weather Service predictions, Saturday’s temperatures may reach a high of 22 and a low of 18 with wind chill potentially reaching a low of 10-15 Saturday evening.
Intermittent power outages should be expected Saturday due to the wind and cold temperatures.
In a press release, PennDOT also urged drivers to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during the winter weather advisory period into Saturday.
Additionally, PennDOT will implement various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm.
PennDOT and PTC 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, 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.
Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for personalized alerts on the website.
The following vehicle restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, in accordance with the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:
Tier 1:
· Interstate 80 from Ohio to Exit 173 (Logantown)
Tier 2:
· PA Turnpike (I-70/76) from the Ohio Turnpike to the Carlisle Interchange (Exit 226), including PA Turnpike I-376, PA Turnpike 576, PA Turnpike 43 & PA Turnpike 66.
· I-70 from West Virginia line to PA Turnpike (I-76)
· I-70 from PA Turnpike (I-76) to Maryland line
· I-79 from West Virginia to I-80
· I-99, entire length
· I-279, entire length
· I-376, entire length
· I-579, entire length
Further planned restrictions as of 3 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19:
Tier 1:
· I-80, entire length
Tier 2:
· PA Turnpike (I-70/76) from Carlisle Interchange (Exit 226) throughout the entirety of the turnpike system (I-76/276) from I-95 to the New Jersey Turnpike and including the Northeastern Extension (I-476) south of Pocono Interchange (Exit A95).
· I-76 from PA Turnpike to New Jersey
· I-78, entire length
· I-81 from Maryland line to I-80
· I-83, entire length
· I-95, entire length
· I-176, entire length
· I-295, entire length
· I-476, PA Turnpike to I-95
· I-676, entire length
· U.S. 22 from I-78 to New Jersey
· Route 33, entire length
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.
· Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.
· Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.
· School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches.
· Motorcycles.
On roadways with Tier 2 restrictions in place, vehicles prohibited under Tier 1 are not permitted, as well as:
· Commercial vehicles towing loaded tandem trailers without chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs).
· All loaded or unloaded school buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches regardless of the availability of chains or ATDs.
PennDOT urges motorists to avoid travel if possible. If travel is necessary, use caution, reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions. If you are traveling on the PA Turnpike and find yourself in need of assistance, dial *11 on your cell phone. As needed, a staff member of the turnpike’s 24/7 operations center can then dispatch help to your location.
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