12/26/2025
🚨 URGENT WINTER WEATHER & TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – CENTRAL & WESTERN PA 🚨
We know. You’ve seen winter weather posts a hundred times already. This one matters. Please take a minute to read, especially if you’re traveling or have family on the road.
❄️ ICE STORM WARNING – NWS STATE COLLEGE
Effective: Friday, December 26 at 10:00 AM
Through: Saturday, December 27 at 7:00 AM
📍 Counties Affected:
Warren, McKean, Elk, Clearfield, Cambria, Somerset
⚠️ What to Expect:
• Around ¼ inch of ice accumulation
• Prolonged freezing rain (6–9 hours)
• Minimal snow/sleet, but enough to worsen road conditions
• Tree damage and power outages likely
• Travel may become nearly impossible, especially Friday evening
💡 Even after rain ends, patchy freezing drizzle may continue overnight.
🚛 PENNDOT TIERED VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS
Due to deteriorating conditions, Tier 3 restrictions are going into effect on most major interstates and highways statewide starting:
🕙 10:00 AM Friday
🕑 Additional corridors added at 2:00 PM Friday
Tier 3 means:
🚫 ALL commercial vehicles WITHOUT chains or approved ATDs are RESTRICTED
Restricted in ALL tiers:
• Oversized loads
• Tractors without trailers
• Empty box trucks
• Motorcycles
• Tow-behind trailers
• RVs / campers
• Buses without ATDs
⚠️ Chains may be REQUIRED if conditions worsen
This impacts I-80, I-81, I-79, I-76 (Turnpike), I-99, I-70, I-83, I-84, I-90, I-95, I-376, I-476, I-78, PA-43, PA-576, PA-66, PA-33, US-22, and more.
👉 If you drive commercially and don’t have chains or ATDs onboard — do not attempt travel.
🚗 FOR ALL TRAVELERS
• Avoid unnecessary travel
• Expect black ice, even if roads look wet
• Carry food, water, flashlight, meds, and a charger
• Let someone know your route and ETA
• Check 511 for real-time road conditions
🏠 FOR RESIDENTS
• Prepare for possible power outages
• Charge devices now
• Have a heat backup plan
• Avoid unnecessary trips once icing begins
• Check on neighbors who may need help
🚑 FIRST RESPONDERS
Expect:
• Delayed response times
• Increased MVCs and falls
• Hazardous access conditions
• Possible extended incidents
Please slow it down and protect yourselves.
This is not “just winter weather.”
This is a significant icing event with statewide travel impacts.
Stay home if you can.
If you must travel, do it smart and do it prepared.
📞 Road conditions: Call 511
📡 Continue to monitor official updates
Stay safe, Central PA.
