Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation of disaster emergency Sunday afternoon as another major snowstorm is headed for the state, he announced in a press conference.
Parts of Philadelphia and its suburbs, and north toward Allentown and the Poconos, could see record-breaking snowfall totals of up to 2 feet of accumulation, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), and are under a blizzard warning.
The rest of the eastern part of the state and all of central Pa. are under a winter storm warning, with snowfall amounts of 4 to 12 inches predicted and upwards of 16 inches possible in Philly’s western suburbs.
In all cases, the bulk of the storm is expected to affect the state Sunday night into Monday morning and end soon after sunrise.
Shapiro led the press conference along with state Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll, state Director of Emergency Management Randy Padfield, and Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police Col. George Bivens.
All speakers pleaded with Pennsylvanians to stay off the roads and ditch travel plans unless necessary.
“By choosing to stay home, you are helping our troopers do their jobs, keeping emergency routes open and helping protect the men and women who are working in these dangerous conditions to keep you safe. Your cooperation can save lives,” Bivens said.
If people absolutely have to travel, Bivens told residents to clear the snow and ice off of their vehicles, slow down, increase following distance, and allow extra time for travel.
Padfield said PEMA is activating the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center and calling in state agencies to monitor the impact of the storm. He said the January snowstorm was “relatively uneventful because the public did what we asked of them.”
This storm could have a different impact than the one in January because high winds are expected after the storm, which could lead to power outages.
Carroll said “PennDOT is prepared” for the storm, and is moving power and equipment from Clearfield and Williamsport eastward to the Poconos, Lehigh Valley and southeastern Pennsylvania to prepare for higher snowfalls in those regions.
Commercial truck restrictions on Pa. roads start at 3 p.m., but Carroll expects they will be advanced to more aggressive restrictions later Sunday evening. Bivens said troopers are actively enforcing weather-related restrictions on commercial motor vehicles, and that compliance in the January storm made a “significant difference” for road crews and first responders.
Shapiro thanked the public servants who keep Pennsylvanians safe during weather events, and asked residents to comply with weather guidance.
“To Pennsylvanians out there, especially to our kids, I hope you enjoy the storm, I hope you have fun in the snow but I also hope that folks take it seriously and again, give our road crews, give our police, give our emergency management professionals the space and the ability to do what they do best: Clear the snow and ensure everyone’s well-being,” Shapiro said.
Pennsylvanians can visit pa.gov/stormlatest to view PEMA’s most recent projections.