PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The skies may be clear right now, but PennDOT is in winter weather mode as crews prepare for the first snow of the season.
Snow is expected to fall beginning early Tuesday morning, with rain to follow throughout the day, according to the National Weather Service. It’s not expected to be heavy, but the worst of it will be further north and west in areas like Bucks County, with possibly 1 to 4 inches of snow. Accumulated snowfall will likely be an inch or less in the Philadelphia area.
Some sleet may mix in as the snow transitions to rain, creating wet and slippery road conditions.
“Our county maintenance crews will be treating the roads to get ahead of the start of this winter weather,” said Krys Johnson with PennDOT. “We’re really focused on making sure the debris is cleared from the roads.”
Johnson noted this is a team effort, so motorists need to do their part to stay safe as well.
“The most important thing to do is to not travel if you don’t have to,” she said, “but if you do have to go out on those roads, slow down. Ice can form quickly, especially on bridges and ramps.
“Even roads that look wet, they may hide invisible patches of black ice. So if the road is wet, assume it is black ice and drive slowly.”
And, she advised, always give PennDOT trucks extra space so they can properly and safely salt the roads.