Winter storm could dump foot of snow in valley, prompts snow bans, travel restrictions
SHENANDOAH – With a winter storm warning and the potential for nearly a foot of snow in and around the Shenandoah Valley, communities have issued snow bans and PennDOT will prohibit commercial trucks on the Interstate overnight.
The National Weather Service at State College says five to nine inches of snow are expected, with heaviest amounts south of Interstate 80. Snowfall rates could eclipse an inch or more per hour overnight.
They issued a winter storm warning for midnight tonight through 1pm Tuesday.
The latest snow total forecast from the NWS also highlights the Shenandoah and Mahanoy Valleys as an area which could hit or eclipse a foot of snow.
Bans, restrictions, changes
The upcoming storm has prompted several changes, bans, and restrictions in local municipalities.
Regional
PennDOT will issue a Tier 4 restriction and prohibit all commercial vehicles on Interstate 81 from the I-78 split to the New York state line beginning at 3am Tuesday. That restriction will be lifted “as quickly as possible when conditions are safe.”
Under Tier 4 restrictions, only cars and pickup trucks, without trailers, and first responders are allowed on the highway.
The Schuylkill Transportation System has cancelled all operations Tuesday. That includes all fixed-route and shared ride trips.
Customer service lines will be answered from 4am to Noon for information and scheduling trips for Wednesday, February 14.
Schools
Mahanoy Area will have a flexible instruction day on Tuesday due to the weather. Students are asked to complete FID assignments.
North Schuylkill will have a virtual day on Tuesday. High School logs in at 7:39am, elementary at 9am.
Shenandoah Valley will have a virtual synchronous day Tuesday. Students should log into their classes live on Google Classroom.
Shenandoah
Shenandoah has issued a snow ban which takes effect at 10pm Monday through 10am Tuesday.
No parking is permitted on Main Street from Washington to Laurel and Centre Street from West to White. Vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
Additionally, there will be no trash pickup Tuesday.
Frackville
Frackville has issued parking restrictions on snow emergency routes beginning at 10pm Monday through 10am Tuesday.
The snow emergency routes are Oak Street and Lehigh Avenue from borough line to borough line.
Vehicles remaining on those routes will be ticketed or towed.
Mahanoy City
Mahanoy City has prohibited parking on Centre, Main, South, and Liberty Hill beginning at 11pm Monday through 3pm Tuesday.
All vehicles must be moved from those streets or they will be ticketed and towed.
East Union Township
East Union Township is asking residents not to park on the north side of West Pine Street in Sheppton beginning at 9pm Monday through 3pm Tuesday.
Residents are asked to remove all vehicles from the even numbered side of the street so plows could get through.
Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel has declared a snow emergency starting at 9pm Monday through 9am Wednesday.
The borough asks residents to please be mindful of the trucks and equipment removing snow and keep the corners clear so plows can make the turns.
McAdoo
McAdoo has issued a snow ban effective at midnight until 5pm Wednesday.
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