SNOWFALL: When it comes to heavy snowfall, we here at The Era never thought we’d be happy to say we’re glad to live in Bradford.
Erie recently saw a record-breaking 60 inches of snow while Bradford was fortunate enough to receive only about 6 to 8 inches of snow over the holiday.
These sudden and heavy snow squalls have been the result of a combined effort from cold fronts and lake effects, and they can happen overnight. We saw a tame version of that, with Christmas Eve being virtually snowless only to wake up to a white Christmas Day.
These kinds of fast building snow falls can be one of the biggest challenges that motorists, including plow truck drivers for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, face during the winter. And while we may have avoided the worst of it in Bradford, the forecast is calling for more snow all week.
If motorists do encounter any kinds of snow squalls while traveling, PennDOT offers this advice:
• Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions.
• Turn on your headlights.
• Stay in your lane.
• Increase your following distance.
• Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient.
• Reduce in-car distractions since your full attention is required.
• Use defroster and wipers.
• Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.
• During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely get as far off the road as possible or when there is a safe area to do so.
• Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could create a chain-reaction collision.
• Do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely.
• Always buckle up and never drink and drive.
PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.
