Snowstorm forecast prompts vehicle restrictions on Pennsylvania Turnpike, other major routes

Vehicle restrictions will be in place beginning Saturday on portions of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other major highways in the state as officials prepare for an expected weekend snowstorm.

Starting at noon, PennDOT restrictions will take effect on the section of the toll road stretching from the New Stanton exit east to the Carlisle exit.

That portion of the turnpike will be off-limits to:

• Motorcycles;

• Passenger vehicles towing trailers;

• Recreational vehicles and motor homes;

• School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches;

• Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks, or box trucks that meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle;

• Tractors without trailers;

• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers, tank trailers or tandem trailers.

Weather forecast

NWS Pittsburgh declared a winter storm warning for higher elevations of Fayette, Westmoreland, and Indiana Counties, including the cities of Donegal and Ligonier.

The warning predicted “heavy mixed precipitation” with total snow accumulation between 3 and 7 inches, and ice accumulation around one tenth of an inch, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. It advised people to plan for slippery road conditions.

Allegheny County and the western side of Westmoreland County were under a winter weather advisory during the same period, with expected snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches in Allegheny and 3 to 5 inches in Westmoreland and Armstrong Counties.

David Shallenberger, meteorologist with NWS Pittsburgh, said the most intense snowfall is expected between 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, and noted there is a chance of freezing rain in lower elevations.

“Most of your accumulation is going to be in the middle of the afternoon,” he said.

More restrictions

Other road restrictions will roll out as follows:

• Saturday at 10 a.m.: Entire lengths of Interstate 99 and Interstate 83; section of Interstate 81 from the Maryland state line to Interstate 78;

• Saturday at 2 p.m.: Entire lengths of Route 33 and Interstates 78, 84, 180 and 380; Route 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey state line; Interstate 80 from the Lamar exit to the New Jersey line; I-81 from I-78 to the New York line; the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeastern Extension between the Lehigh Valley and Clarks Summit exits.

At 4 p.m. Saturday, restrictions for vehicles — except for trucks — will go into effect on: Entire lengths of I-84 and I-380; I-81 from I-80 to the New York line. Also, no commercial vehicles are permitted except loaded-single trailers with chains or approved alternate traction devices.

PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advised motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.

Visit 511pa.com for updated travel alerts.