Overview
- Winter Storm Watches are posted for central Pennsylvania, with a wintry mix expected Friday into early Saturday that will rapidly worsen driving conditions.
- PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike are urging people to avoid nonessential travel, preparing pre-treatment, and cautioning that speed or vehicle restrictions may be implemented.
- The Turnpike projects roughly 550,000 vehicles on Friday, a volume that heightens risk on a day when salt will not prevent icy spots on bridges, ramps and untreated surfaces.
- Forecasts for the Susquehanna Valley call for a coating to about 2 inches of snow and sleet plus roughly 0.10–0.25 inches of ice, with arrival generally 1–5 p.m. west to east and up to around 0.5 inches of icing possible in the Laurel Highlands and north/east of Pittsburgh.
- Across Michigan, widespread freezing rain Friday is expected to create hazardous morning travel with ice near or over a quarter inch in some areas, and a Gale Warning is in effect for parts of Lake Superior.