Round two of winter storm gears up to blast the midstate

(Harrisburg) — The midstate is bracing for a second round of a winter storm.

A winter storm warning is in effect for most of the region until 8:00 p.m. and until 11:00 p.m. in Berks County.

Snow is expected to fall throughout the day — with a total of four to eight inches likely across much of central Pennsylvania.

Several schools have closed for the day or delayed the start of classes.

Meteoroligist Matt Steinbugl of the National Weather Service in State College says the storm will be confined mainly to the southern part of the area.

“In between, say the Turnpike and Interstate 80, is where the amounts are going to be variable — depending on how far north the precipitation can reach amounts in that area,” he said. “They can range anywhere from a coating to an inch up to as much as three to six inches in some of those spots.”

A handful of northern counties — Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Snyder and Union — could see a total of two to five inches.

Steinbugl said the storm should wrap up by late today.

“For the rest of this week, temperatures will be cooler than average, but we’re not looking for any additional precipitation on Thursday or Friday,” he said. “It looks like for the southern half of Pennsylvania, later in the weekend will be the next opportunity for some preciptiation.”

Here’s the latest snowfall forecast from NWS State College for Central Pennsylvania, showing additional snow from 2 am Wednesday (now) to 2 am Thursday. pic.twitter.com/0VA0xAA0eI

— NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) March 21, 2018

PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike have banned certain trucks and trailers, motorcycles and recreational vehicles on a number of major highways in central Pennsylvania — including I-81 and I-83.

That includes empty straight CDL-weighted trucks, tractors hauling double trailers, tractors hauling empty trailers, trailers pulled by passenger vehicles or pick-up trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles, or RVs, on:

– Interstate 76 across the state, which includes the Schuylkill Expressway and the East-West Turnpike mainline.
– Interstates 276 and 476, a portion of the mainline Turnpike in southeastern Pennsylvania and the entire Northeastern Extension.
– Interstate 476 between the Turnpike and Interstate 95.
– Interstate 676 (entire length)
– Interstate 176 (entire length)
– Interstate 95 (entire length)
– Interstate 78 (entire length)
– Interstate 80 from the New Jersey line to the junction with Interstate 81.
– Interstate 81 from the Maryland line to the junction with Interstate 80.
– Interstate 99 (entire length)
– Interstate 79 from the Turnpike to Interstate 80.

A  full ban on commercial vehicles was imposed on:

– Interstate 70, from the Maryland line to the Turnpike.
– Interstate 83 (entire length)
– Interstate 84 (entire length)
– Interstate 380 (entire length)

A commercial vehicle is defined as a vehicle used for commerce and meets one of the following conditions:

– Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 17,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater.
– Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation.
– Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation.
– Is a school bus.
– Is transporting hazardous materials which is required to be placarded in accordance with Department regulations.
Restrictions will remain in place as long as conditions warrant. As conditions develop, speed restrictions will be considered on these routes. If the forecast changes, PennDOT will quickly review and possibly adjust or lift the restrictions.