Skip to content

Winter Weather

Winter Weather Header

🚨 PMTA Members 🚨

👉 PMTA notifies members when restrictions are planned but does not issue updates for every change or lifting. Always monitor 511PA for real-time info.

👉 Access Pennsylvania Inclement Winter Weather Travel Restriction and Ban Framework HERE.

➡️ Where to Find Information

PennDOT’s 2025 Inclement Winter Weather Travel Restriction and Ban Framework is available on 511PA.com:

Note: Restrictions apply to all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), regardless of CDL status.

➡️ When and Where Restrictions Apply

  • Restrictions are used during inclement weather that impacts Pennsylvania highways (even without a disaster declaration).
  • They apply only to limited-access highways under PennDOT or Turnpike Commission jurisdiction—not local roads.

➡️ Types of Restrictions

  1. Speed Restrictions
    • Temporary reduced speed limits for safety.
    • Apply to all vehicles.
    • CMVs and vehicles towing trailers must use the right lane only.
    • Announced through digital signs, 511PA, and variable speed limit signs.
  1. Tier Restrictions/Bans
    • Limit or ban certain vehicle types as weather worsens (Tiers 1–5).
    • Tier 1 affects the most traction-prone vehicles; Tier 5 bans all non-emergency vehicles.
    • See the tier chart on 511PA.com/vehiclerestrictions/definitions.

➡️ How PennDOT Decides on Restrictions

PennDOT works with PEMA, PA State Police, and the PA Turnpike Commission to determine restrictions based on:

  • Weather forecasts (snow, ice, flash freeze risk)
  • Road conditions and traffic flow
  • Equipment and manpower availability
  • Conditions in neighboring states
511

➡️ How to Stay Informed

  1. Check 511PA.com – The most accurate, up-to-date source.
    • List View: Under “Vehicle Restrictions List,” filter by roadway or time, and export to Excel or PDF.
    • Map View: Color-coded, searchable, and includes cameras. Planned restrictions show as dotted lines; active ones are solid.
  1. Get Notifications – Subscribe to 511PA Alerts by email or text.
  2. Become a PA BEOC Trusted Partner – Sign up here for detailed emergency updates and dashboard alerts.
  3. Follow PennDOT News Releases – Subscribe here.
  4. Watch for Public Updates:
    • Highway message signs
    • Advisory radio
    • PennDOT, PEMA, and Turnpike social media

🚨 PMTA Members 🚨

👉 PMTA notifies members when restrictions are planned but does not issue updates for every change or lifting. Always monitor 511PA for real-time info.

👉 Access Pennsylvania Inclement Winter Weather Travel Restriction and Ban Framework HERE.

➡️ Additional Details

  • Reassessment: Restrictions are reviewed every 2–4 hours during storms.
  • “Empty” Trailers: Defined as less than one-third of the GVWR (trailer plus cargo).
  • Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV):
    • Interstate: 10,001 lbs+ GVW
    • Intrastate: 17,001 lbs+ GVW
  • Speed vs. Tier Restrictions:
    They can occur separately. Speed restrictions may exist without tier bans and vice versa.

➡️ Exemptions

Certain vehicles are exempt (see Appendix D of the Framework), including:

  • Utility restoration crews (electric, gas, water, telecom)
  • Emergency services and public works
  • Fuel, salt, and tow/recovery vehicles
  • Public transit buses

Additional local exemptions may be approved by PennDOT’s Area Commander when road conditions allow.

To Request an Exemption:
Contact your local PennDOT District Office (Directory) or call 1-800-FIX-ROAD.
Be ready to provide vehicle details, cargo info, travel route, and timing.

➡️ Chains & Traction Devices

Certain trucks must carry tire chains or approved alternate traction devices (ATDs) in Tiers 2 and 3.

Approved ATDs include:

  1. Wheel sanders
  2. Automatic (pneumatic) chains
  3. Emergency dig-out chains (for short-term use only)

➡️ Mandatory Chain-Up Areas

Activated during severe conditions at:

  1. US-322 WB (Mifflin County – Seven Mountains)
  2. SR-153 NB (Clearfield County – Boone Mountain)
  3. US-40 WB (Fayette County – Summit Mountain)

When activated, trucks must chain up before proceeding. Only full chains or cables are allowed (no emergency dig-out chains).

Key Takeaways

✅ Check 511PA.com first — it’s the most reliable source.
✅ PMTA will alert members when restrictions are planned.
✅ Restrictions can change quickly; monitor conditions throughout the storm.
✅ Be prepared with tire chains or ATDs if you’ll be operating during winter weather

⚖️ Christine’s Law

During winter weather events, keep in mind the snow removal requirements of Christine’s Law, a 2022 bill named for Christine Lambert, who died on Christmas Day in 2005 after a piece of ice dislodged from a passing box truck and crashed through her windshield.

This law requires drivers of both passenger and commercial vehicles to make “reasonable efforts” to remove ice or snow from their vehicles within 24 hours of a winter storm.

There are exceptions for motor carrier vehicles, mass transit vehicles, and buses from this requirement under the following conditions:

  • The driver is en route to a facility to remove accumulated ice or snow at the time they are stopped by law enforcement, or
  • Compliance would cause the driver to violate any other federal or state law or regulation regarding workplace safety or would be a threat to the health or safety of the driver.

Under the new section 3721 of the Vehicle Code, law enforcement officers have discretion to pull over a vehicle where the buildup of snow or ice poses a potential hazard. Each offense is $50, regardless of whether any snow or ice is dislodged.

However, should snow or ice become dislodged from a moving vehicle and strike another vehicle or pedestrian, causing death or serious injury, the fine is not less than $200 and not more than $1500 for each offense.

Scroll To Top