Check Your Route
PennDOT has a website where you can see road conditions, traffic delays, weather forecasts, live traffic cameras, and even track plow trucks.
Sign Up for Alerts
We advise everyone to have at least two ways to get breaking weather alerts. Staying weather aware keeps us all safe on the roads and beyond.
Pennsylvanians can get alerts for their home address and business address through Alert PA.
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Be Prepared for Anything
There's no such thing as being too prepared on the road. Never leave without basic supplies, and know what you'd do in the case of inclement weather.
Supplies For Your Car
Keep supplies — such as bottled water, nonperishable food, and basic tools — in your vehicle.
- Blankets and clothing
- Ice scraper
- Food and water
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Local maps
- Phone charger
- Cat litter or sand
If Bad Weather Hits
Sometimes slippery road conditions can hit without warning, especially in the case of snow squalls.
What To Do
The best thing you can do is pull over and wait it out.
If you're on the highway, take the next exit and find somewhere safe to wait.
Snow squalls can't always be predicted but if they are in the forecast, try to avoid or postpone travel.
Hypothermia and Frostbite
Know signs of cold illness and how to act quickly to prevent emergency.
Signs: Shivering. Exhaustion. Confusion. Fumbling hands. Memory loss. Slurred speech. Drowsiness.
How to treat: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first; chest, neck, head, and groin. Keep dry and wrapped in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
Signs: Numbness. White or grayish-yellow sin. Firm or waxy skin.
How to treat: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Don't massage or use a heating pad.
Shovel Out Safely
We see an increase in 911 calls for cardiac events after a snowstorm.
Here are tips to keep you safe:
✅ Let someone know you're out shoveling.
✅ Dress in loose-fitting layers.
✅ Take frequent breaks.
✅ Try pushing snow instead of only lifting it, to conserve energy.
✅ Drink plenty of water before and during shoveling.
If at any point you have cardiac symptoms, stop and call 911.
Social-Media Friendly Graphic
Shovel Safely: Download this graphic for your personal use and/or to share. It has tips on shoveling safely.
Prepare for Power Outages
Whipping wind and heavy ice and snow can take out power.
Before An Outage
If you know a power outage is possible due to upcoming bad weather, it's a good idea to:
- Charge cellphones and battery-powered devices in advance.
- Purchase ice, or freeze water-filled plastic containers to help keep food cold during a temporary power outage.
- Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by visiting your state’s or local website. Know how to locate the closest cooling and warming shelters.
During An Outage
If you lose power:
- Only run generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and attached garages.
- Use flashlights instead of candles for emergency lighting to avoid fire risk.
- Don't keep the car running near your home. Many people use their cars to recharge devices. That makes sense! You just want to do it outside of garages or partially enclosed spaces, and not too close to your home. This will keep you safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use the oven or burn charcoal as a source of heat indoors. If your power is out for a long time and you can't keep warm, plan to go somewhere that has heat.
Fire Safety
Half of all home heating fires happen in December, January, and February. Here are tips to stay safe:
🔌 Plug space heaters directly into an outlet (never use an extension cord), and give them space — at least three feet from anything that can burn.
💨 Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and test them at least once per month.
🔌 Only plug one heat-producing appliance into an outlet at a time.
🧍♂️ Don't leave the kitchen while cooking.
🕯 Be careful with candles: Use them away from things that can burn and blow them out before leaving the room.
