After a daylong storm that largely lived up to forecasts calling for a foot or more of snow, Monday morning drew many Berks Countians outdoors despite an arctic chill expected to intensify over the next several days.
For many residents, clearing driveways after being snowed in most of Sunday took precedence over comfort.
Like many of his neighbors, David Borden spent the morning behind a gasoline-powered snow thrower, clearing the long driveway to his home and barn in the 600 block of Brownsville Road in Lower Heidelberg Township.
“I’ve got to go all the way around the barn,” he said after clearing the pile of snow left by plows at the end of the driveway. “I’ve got a studio out there, so I’ve got to get back to life, right? This is the only way to do it.”
STEVEN HENSHAW – READING EAGLE
David Borden clearing his driveway in the 600 block of Brownsville Road in Lower Heidelberg Township on Monday, the day after a long winter storm. (STEVEN HENSHAW – READING EAGLE)
Wearing three layers of clothing, Borden said the cold didn’t bother him. Temperatures were in the teens shortly after daybreak before climbing into the mid-20s by late morning.
With wind chills, however, it felt more like the single digits, according to AccuWeather.
“I’m an outdoor guy,” he said. “Two knees ago, I would’ve been on Blue Mountain.”
Many people were removing the heavy snow the hard way — one scoop of a snow shovel at a time.
Those who spent much of Monday on snow removal did not toil in vain. Temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing for at least a week, meaning that the snow on the ground is going to stay around until well into next week.
A Reading School District maintenance worker shovels the front steps of Reading High School on Monday. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Daytime highs in the teens, with overnight temperatures dipping below zero, are expected through Friday, according to AccuWeather.
The National Weather Service issued a cold weather advisory for the next two days that could be upgraded to an extreme cold warning by Thursday. Wind chills as low as 10 degrees below zero at night could persist into the weekend.
The advisory urges residents to take precautions when outdoors and traveling, including wearing hats and gloves.
The storm arrived in Berks from the south around 3 a.m. Sunday. Snow fell steadily into the late afternoon, when it transitioned to sleet. Sleet continued at varying intensity into the evening, tapering off around halftime of the NFC Championship game.
Most residents delayed shoveling until Monday morning, which was a snow day for schools across the county and region and for some employers, including Berks County government. County officials announced well ahead of the storm that all county buildings would be closed Monday due to the severity of the forecast.
BARTA suspended morning bus service but announced routes would resume at 12:30 Monday afternoon.
Craig Conrad, Spring Township’s public works director, said the storm’s long duration strained personnel and equipment, but crews were prepared.
“Our guys came in ready, and we had all trucks and all 22 pieces of equipment ready to go,” he said. “They started salting at 3:30 a.m. and worked the duration of the storm, with most working about 28 hours straight.”
Crews clear snow from the 500 block of Penn Avenue in West Reading on Monday. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Conrad said residents largely heeded township messaging to be patient, avoid throwing snow into roadways, and, for those living in cul-de-sacs, park vehicles parallel to the curb or in driveways when possible.
“We have a vast amount of roadway — 118 miles — to take care of, and it takes time to get around,” he said. “The people helped us out. The public did a really good job.”
A city of Reading Public Works truck plows and salts the 1000 block of Washington Street on Monday. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Crews will likely continue cleanup efforts this week to improve sight lines at intersections, Conrad said.
In Reading, where many streets and alleyways are narrow, cleanup continued around the clock.
Residents dig out their cars on Mulberry Street on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Mayor Eddie Moran’s administration issued a statement Monday reminding residents that placing snow from sidewalks, driveways or private property into city streets is prohibited by ordinance and creates safety hazards and additional strain on city resources.
City officials reported an increase in incidents of snow being shoveled or blown back into the streets.
“As our public works crews continue working around the clock to keep our roads passable, we need everyone’s cooperation,” Moran said. “When snow is pushed back into the street after plowing, it creates dangerous driving conditions, blocks emergency vehicles and slows our ability to keep roads clear for everyone.”
All city-owned parking garages will be open and available for public use through 6 p.m. Thursday. Surface parking lots are not included. Officials last week originally said the garages would be available through 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Berks snowfall totals
Snowfall totals from the weekend storm reported by the National Weather Service as of Monday morning. Times are from Sunday unless otherwise noted.
• Mertztown: 14.1 inches, 9:15 p.m.
• Fleetwood 2 ESE: 13.2 inches 7 a.m. Monday
• 1 N Union Township: 12.5 inches, 8:30 p.m.
• Huffs Church: 11.5 inches, 6:45 p.m.
• Alburtis 4.7 SW: 11 inches 7 a.m. Monday
• Lyons 2.6 SE: 10.8 inches 7 a.m. Monday
• Bernville 1.3 SW: 10.2 inches 7 a.m. Monday
• Fleetwood 4.8 ESE: 10.1 inches 7 a.m. Monday
• Hamburg: 10 inches 7 a.m. Monday
• Oley 0.9 SSW: 10 inches 8 a.m. Monday
• Spring Township: 9.8 inches, 8 p.m.
•Reading Regional Airport: 9.4 inches, midnight Monday