US WHAT PEOPLE BOUGHT AND WHAT EXPERTS SAY YOU NEED. STORES ACROSS THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY ARE BUSY THIS SATURDAY, STOCKING UP ON ESSENTIALS LIKE SHOVELS BEFORE THE STORM. THIS ACE HARDWARE IN LANCASTER SAYS THEY’VE SEEN ABOUT THREE TIMES THE FOOT TRAFFIC IN THE PAST DAY THAN THEY DO ON A NORMAL DAY. WE HAD TO GET IN A STORM MODE, ITEMS FLYING OFF THE SHELVES AND ACE HARDWARE. THE OWNER SAYING CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN IN ALL WEEK FOR THE WINTER ESSENTIALS GENERATORS, SHOVELS, SNOW. EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH COLD, SNOW, ICE, YOU NAME IT. SNOWBLOWERS AND ESPECIALLY HIGH DEMAND THIS SEASON, A SPECIAL ORDERING MORE JUST TO KEEP UP WITH THE ORDERS. AS FOR SALT MELT WE WENT THROUGH. I THINK WE WENT THROUGH ABOUT 6 OR 7000 BAGS. HER SUGGESTING TO STAY PREPARED WITH AT LEAST A DURABLE SHOVEL AND SALT FOR THE SIDEWALK DURING THE STORM. QUITE A FEW PEOPLE TAKING THAT ADVICE TO HEART. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I CAME IN AND SAW SNOW SHOVELS AND ACTUALLY THESE ARE GOOD ONES. GOT A METAL EDGE TO IT, BUT I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THEY HAD INVENTORY. YEAH, THE LAST MINUTE RUSH BEING FELT IN STORES AND BY SHOPPERS. I WENT GROCERY SHOPPING THIS MORNING. YOU KNOW, SHELVES ARE EMPTY. THINGS ARE BUSY. TRAFFIC IS TERRIBLE. LUCKILY, THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF SHOVELS LEFT HERE, WHICH I DIDN’T THINK THERE WOULD BE CUSTOMERS AND BUSINESSES IN THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY. IN THE FINAL STRETCH BEFORE THE SNOW HITS, I EXPECTED EVERYBODY OUT FOR THE FINAL RUSH TO GET STUFF BEFORE YOU’RE TRAPPED UP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. AND HE SAYS THEY’RE WORKING TO KEEP ALL THE GOODS STOCKED SO THE COMMUNI
PennDOT reduces speed limits on major highways in the Susquehanna Valley
PennDOT reduces speed limits on major roadways in south-central Pennsylvania
Updated: 6:16 AM EST Jan 25, 2026
Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on major roadways in the south-central PennDOT District 8 region, consisting of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.Video above: Hardware stores see surge as shoppers buy last-minute winter essentials PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speed reduced to 45 mph on the following roads in the region:Interstate 78Interstate 81 from the Maryland state line to the Schuylkill County lineInterstate 283, entire lengthInterstate 83, entire lengthUS-22/322 from I-81 to MillerstownPA-581, entire lengthUS-15, entire lengthPA-283, entire lengthUS-30 from PA-24 to PA-462US-222, entire lengthOn roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.In addition to the speed restrictions, vehicle restrictions are in effect in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan on interstates in the region. This includes:Interstate 78Interstate 81 from the Maryland state line to the Schuylkill County lineInterstate 283, entire lengthInterstate 83, entire lengthUS-22/322 from I-81 to MillerstownPA-283, entire lengthPA-581, entire lengthOn roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.While avoiding or delaying unnecessary travel during winter storms is the safest choice, PennDOT offers this advice if motorists must travel and encounter snow squalls or blowing or drifting snow: Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits conditions.Turn on your headlights. If caught in a snow squall, turn on your hazard lights.Stay in your lane and increase your following distance.Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient.Do not drive distracted; your full attention is required.Use your defroster and wipers.Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely pull off the roadway.Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could cause 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 drive impaired. Have an emergency kit handy.
Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on major roadways in the south-central PennDOT District 8 region, consisting of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.
Video above: Hardware stores see surge as shoppers buy last-minute winter essentials
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speed reduced to 45 mph on the following roads in the region:
Interstate 78Interstate 81 from the Maryland state line to the Schuylkill County lineInterstate 283, entire lengthInterstate 83, entire lengthUS-22/322 from I-81 to MillerstownPA-581, entire lengthUS-15, entire lengthPA-283, entire lengthUS-30 from PA-24 to PA-462US-222, entire length
On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.
In addition to the speed restrictions, vehicle restrictions are in effect in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan on interstates in the region. This includes:
Interstate 78Interstate 81 from the Maryland state line to the Schuylkill County lineInterstate 283, entire lengthInterstate 83, entire lengthUS-22/322 from I-81 to MillerstownPA-283, entire lengthPA-581, entire length
On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.
Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.
While avoiding or delaying unnecessary travel during winter storms is the safest choice, PennDOT offers this advice if motorists must travel and encounter snow squalls or blowing or drifting snow:
Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits conditions.Turn on your headlights. If caught in a snow squall, turn on your hazard lights.Stay in your lane and increase your following distance.Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient.Do not drive distracted; your full attention is required.Use your defroster and wipers.Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely pull off the roadway.Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could cause 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 drive impaired. Have an emergency kit handy.