Pittsburgh Winter Storm: Travel Could Be Nearly Impossible

PITTSBURGH, PA — After several days of dire forecasts, a major winter storm is expected to slam into Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania on Sunday, making travel extremely difficult to impossible. Significant speed and vehicle restrictions are expected on major roadways across the state.

The snow is expected to begin in Greene, Fayette and eastern Westmoreland County between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Snow will begin between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Butler, Washington, most of Westmoreland, Indiana and Armstrong counties.

A winter storm warning will be in effect from 1 p.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Monday. Here are the expected accumulation totals:

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. The weather service warns that travel "could be very difficult to impossible."

PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. The agencies anticipate implementing various speed
restrictions throughout the storm.

Effective 3 p.m. Sunday, vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:

• All interstates south of Interstate 80, not including Interstate 80.
• PA Turnpike I-76 (Mainline) from the Ohio border to the New Jersey border, including all western extensions.
• PA Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) from I-276 to I-80.
• The entire length of U.S. 22.
• The entire length of Route 33.

Under Tier 2 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 loaded tandem trailers unless there are chains or another approved Alternate Traction Device on board;
• Enclosed cargo delivery 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; and
• motorcycles.
• buses, commercial buses and motor coaches; and
• motorcycles.

Effective at 7:00 PM Sunday, Tier 2 restrictions will be in place for:

• All interstates north of I-80, including I-80;
• PA Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) from I-80 to Clarks Summit.

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