Ahead of anticipated winter weather across the state today into Wednesday, which will turn to heavy rain with high winds and the potential for flooding, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. Additionally, PennDOT and PTC will implement various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm due to anticipated high winds.

“This will be a challenging event with rapidly changing conditions, and we ask the public to avoid unnecessary travel if possible. If you must travel, please exercise caution, check 511PA.com for the latest conditions, and give our crews space to safely and effectively respond to the storm,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.

This will be a quick-moving weather event that may start as snow and mixed precipitation before changing to all rain, which will be heavy at times. Rain totals are expected to total 2 to 3 inches, with localized amounts of up to 4 inches.

Temperatures will also rise quickly as the storm progresses through the state, and the combination of rising temperatures along with heavy rain and snow melt will likely lead to flooding, especially in the east. Additionally, high winds are anticipated, with sustained winds of 20-30 mph and gusts reaching up to 70 mph. This will accelerate snow melt and lead to increased risk of flooding, downed trees and power outages.

“This storm has the potential to bring significant flooding to parts of eastern Pennsylvania,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “It is vitally important for everyone to be weather aware and make sure they know where they keep important documents that they might need to grab quickly if they need to leave their homes, and to plan where they would go if they had to evacuate.”

Padfield said anyone can sign up for free alert at ready.pa.gov.

his information can be especially important for anyone traveling after dark, as flooding can be harder to see at night. Anyone who plans to travel should be sure to have emergency supplies in their cars such as water, non-perishable food and any specific medical supplies they may need, as well as items for babies or pets if they’re in the car too.

Motorists should not drive across roads covered with water. Even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway. Also, the roadbed may not be intact under the water. Never drive around barricades or signs on closed roads -Turn Around, Don’t Drown.