New PA Snowfall Estimates Released, Travel Restrictions Announced

The National Weather Service has slightly altered predictions for snowfall accumulation expected during the Wednesday winter storm. In its latest briefing issued this morning, the NWS is now predicting between 4 to 6 inches for much of the Philadelphia suburbs.

According to the NWS, Upper Bucks County, western Montgomery and Chester counties, and the Lehigh Valley can expect slightly higher amounts of snow. Philadelphia and its immediate suburbs are now track for 3 to 4 inches of accumulation, the NWS said.

But, the NWS cautions, "uncertainty exists in the snowfall accumulation forecast owing primarily to critical timings of transitions between snow, ice, and rain."

Here is the latest map of snowfall estimates:

Either way, travel impacts are highly likely, forecasters said.

"While confidence in exact snowfall totals is medium, confidence is higher on a period of significant and widespread travel impacts, especially from mid to late morning through the early evening," the NWS said. Some ice is also possible.

Precipitation will likely begin as snow around 10 a.m. in the Philadelphia region. Due to chilly temperatures, snow is expected to accumulate on all untreated surfaces soon after it begins falling.

The snow will continue through the afternoon, with precipitation transitioning to a mix of sleet and freezing rain in the evening for the Philadelphia region. Rain will then continue tonight, ending early Thursday morning.

In light of the expected hazardous conditions, some vehicle and speed restrictions have been implemented by PennDOT.

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

• Interstates 76, 95, 295, 476, 676;
• U.S. Routes 1, 30, 202, 422; and
• State Routes 63, 100 Spur and 309

A full commercial vehicle ban, including buses, is currently in place on I-70 in Fulton County (from the Maryland state line to the Turnpike); I-99 from I-80 to the Turnpike; and I-80 from I-79 to the I-99 interchange.

Starting at noon on Wednesday, PennDOT will prohibit only empty, straight CDL-weighted trucks; all large combination vehicles (double trailers); tractors hauling empty trailers; any trailers pulled by motorcycles, passenger vehicles, pickup trucks or SUVs; all motorcycles; and all recreational vehicles and RVs on the following roadways:

• PA Turnpike (I-76, I-276, I-95) from I-81 to I-95 (Exit 43);
• I-76 (Turnpike and non-Turnpike, New Stanton to Philadelphia);
• I-78 full length from I-81 to the New Jersey state line;
• I-80 from I-99 to the New Jersey state line;
• I-81 from the Maryland state line to the New York state line;
• I-83 from the Maryland state line to I-81;
• I-84 full length from I-81 to the New York state line;
• I-176;
• I-180 full length from Route 220/U.S. 15 to I-80;
• I-276; PA Turnpike
• I-283;
• I-295;
• I-380 full length from I-81 to I-80;
• I-476 (non-Turnpike, full length);
• I-476 (PA Turnpike, Northeast Ext.) from Mid County (exit 20) to Clarks Summit (exit 131);
• I-676;
• Route 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey state line; and
• Route 33 from I-78 to I-80.

A 45-mph speed restriction will be in place on all roadways with vehicle restrictions.

Image via NWS