Current Conditions
63°F - SUNNY
(440) (134) (2)
While 68 PennDOT snowplows worked around the clock to open roads, wind gusts of up to 15 mph undid their work on rural roads, whipping drifts to heights of 6 feet or more.
The National Weather Service said the wet, heavy snow would taper off throughout the early afternoon, ending by about 3 p.m. Winds are expected to pick up through the evening and night, with gusts of up to 30 mph.
Sunday will be clear and sunny. Temperatures in the 20s will slow any melting, and winds of 10-15 mph will continue the drifting.
At midafternoon, Mayor Rick Gray reported that the city's snow emergency routes were open, but many side streets remained closed.
Many city residents removed their cars from emergency routes, he said, making it possible for plows to keep King, Queen, Prince, Duke and other major thoroughfares open.
"The last report I had, the small side streets continued to be a problem," Gray said. "The trucks that fit on those streets can't handle all the snow that's there."
The mayor said he expects the city to begin snow removal operations Monday.
"There's no place to push it," he said. "We can't let it just sit."
In the county, major state routes were open and passable, with the exception of some in the southern end, Scott Tanguy, PennDOT's senior highway maintenance manager said.
"The numbered routes are passable and widened," he said. "The secondary roads are passable but snow covered."
Tanguy said much of the county seemed to get about 20 inches of snow. But the southern county got well over 2 feet.
PennDOT plows will continue working through the day and night, he said, widening lanes and clearing drifts.
"Everything is not grand," he said, "but with all the snow we got, and the wind, we're pleased with the progress we've made."
PennDOT officials continued to urge drivers to stay off the road until maintenance crews had a chance to finish their work.
Gov. Ed Rendell declared a statewide emergency and said the National Guard would be made available to assist state police.
AccuWeather forecaster Justin Roberti said wind speed would increase as the snowfall ends, creating near whiteout conditions on some rural roads.
In related storm news, PPL reported that it had restored power to eight homes in Lancaster Township that lost service overnight.
