Area officials advise caution on roadways ahead of polar vortex

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — PennDOT is watching the weather maps and preparing for whatever Mother Nature brings to the region.

PennDOT spokesperson Ayanna Williams said more than 180 trucks are available to treat the roads before the precipitation begins Tuesday. Crews were out Monday putting brine down.

Crews are now out salting the roads. PennDOT has more than 120,000 tons of salt for this winter season. 

Be #prepared for a sloppy Tuesday evening commute & the start of dangerous #cold weather tonight. ❄️ Drive cautiously & leave a greater distance between cars when heading home from work today. Then bundle up indoors (with your pets, too)! ---- Learn more ⤵️ #PAwx #PAWinter https://t.co/VCv8ZNR6IR

"Take your time," she advised. "Give yourself enough time to get to where you need to go. If you do go out to your car and there's snow or ice on it, make sure you completely wipe off your car before you head onto the roadways."

.@GovernorTomWolf and state officials are warning residents to stay safe while outdoors tonight through Thursday as temperatures are expected to drop below zero with dangerous wind chills. https://t.co/Yq21PISELx

Also remember to turn on your headlights when using your windshield wipers.

Motorists can also access 511pa.com to access real-time information on where plow trucks are in your area and where they are headed. 

Williams said in addition to the PennDOT trucks, hundreds of extra contractors are standing by if needed.

Camden County is also getting ready for the snow and icy mix. 

Freeholder Susan Shin-Angulo said all hands are on deck for the rest of the week. More than 100 pieces of equipment are ready to go, and the salt barns are full.

"It is going to be challenging," she admitted. "We have a slight window between the snow and the rain, as well as the freezing temperatures, so that we can get all the trucks out there not only just plowing, but salting the entire 200-lane miles that we have throughout this county."

As for the morning commute, she advised to give yourself an extra 15 to 20 minutes to deal with the icy spots. 

"There's gonna be spots that are gonna be slick, and you just don't know."