Winter weather advisory issued for several central Pennsylvania counties

A winter weather advisory has been issued for several central Pennsylvania counties, beginning Tuesday afternoon and continuing into Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says mixed precipitation is expected in Franklin, Perry, Cumberland and Adams counties, with the advisory beginning around 1 p.m. Tuesday. The advisory ends at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Total snow accumulation is only expected to be a “coating” but could be up to two inches, the NWS said. There could also be an ice accumulation of a “light glaze.”

Higher snow totals will be mostly in higher terrain areas, the NWS said.

First notable winter weather of the season Tue PM - Wed AM:
1⃣ First snow/ice often results in amplified impacts!
❄️1-3" of snow and light ice accumulation.
????Slick roadways and reduced visibility possible.
⚠️Take it slow in ice and snow!
????https://t.co/mLqvlCztTI#PAwx pic.twitter.com/s4e7BvN4cO

— NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) November 14, 2022

The NWS warns that there will be slippery road conditions, including hazardous conditions during the Tuesday evening commute.

PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission remind motorists to adjust speeds based on driving conditions, as winter weather has been shown to create dangerous roads in recent years.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration and the NWS have dedicated the week of Nov. 14-18 as Snow Squall Awareness and released a statement earlier Monday.

“We all have a role to play in staying safe on roadways this winter,” PEMA Director Randy Padfield said. “When you get a snow squall warning, the safest thing to do is pause your travel to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, which will help first responders too.”

Although it is unclear how the expected mixed precipitation will affect central Pennsylvania in terms of squalls, NWS Meteorologist shared this about what can happen when they do appear.

“One of the things that makes snow squalls so dangerous is their tendency to produce icy roadways, or what we call a flash freeze,” Banghoff said in a statement. “Because they come on so suddenly, snow squalls can catch drivers off guard and lead to major transportation incidents, including deadly multi-vehicle accidents.”

For those that get caught in winter weather should slow down, but officials say if you are caught in a squall specifically, it’s important not to panic.

“Don’t slam on your brakes, stay in your lane and slow down to leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you,” Mark Compton, PA Turnpike Chief Executive Officer said. “Also, turn on your headlights and hazard lights so others can see you. If you are on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 on your cell phone if you are in need of assistance.”

In March, there was a 40-car pile up after a snow squall hit Interstate 81 in Schuykill County and resulted in several deaths. A month prior, multiple crashes were reported in the county following a snow squall that resulted in four people being injured.