Plows clear a highway.
Credit: PennDOT
Snow and strong winds will be joining the below-freezing temperatures that have settled over the region.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service said Wednesday evening that they had upped their snowfall prediction for Lower Bucks County to 4 to 6 inches. The storm is expected to start after midnight Thursday and continue through the day.
A Winter Storm Warning was issued for Lower Bucks County in advance of the storm.
The highest snow amounts are expected to be along the Atlantic coast, where a Blizzard Warning was issued.
In addition to the dangerously cold temperatures, winds are expected to move in and could bring gusts as high as 40 mph. The wind chill through Saturday morning could hit negative digits.
The storm is moving up the East Coast and is expected to strengthen Thursday as it moved to New England. It has already brought snow and cold weather to parts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
PennDOT officials warned drivers that the mix of low temperatures, high winds and snow will cause a dangerous situation for the Thursday morning commute.
Road salt is less effective at lower temperatures and the winds will impact visibility and driving conditions, PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards said.
“We urge drivers to not be complacent even if their area isn’t expected to see several inches of snow – they must slow down, allow extra time in their commutes, and leave plenty of room around our plows and other vehicles,” Richards said.
Police in Newtown Borough told residents to move their vehicles from snow emergency routes Wednesday night. Authorities in Newtown Township and Wrightstown urged residents to move vehicles from the streets so that plows can clear the snow.
Council Rock School District officials said the district’s team will monitor the weather and announce their decision for classes Thursday at 5 a.m. (Update: the schools are closed)
