A winter storm warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday.

Heavy snow is expected, with total snow accumulations between 8 and 16 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Some blowing snow is likely which could lead to reduced visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are planning to implement vehicle restrictions on Interstates and the PA Turnpike on Sunday, February 22. The agencies are also advising drivers to watch weather forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel if possible and to exercise caution when driving.

now is expected across the Commonwealth starting overnight Saturday into Sunday, with potential snowfall rates of ¾ inch to 1 ½ inches per hour.

Restrictions are planned for certain vehicles during the storm, and will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 3 p.m. on Sunday in accordance with Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan: I-76; I-78; I-80 from I-81 to New Jersey; I-81 entire length; I-380 entire length; I-476 entire length; Route 33 entire length; U.S. 22 from I-78 to New Jersey; PA Turnpike Northeast Extension I-476 entire length.

Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:

• Tractors without trailers.

• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers.

• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers.

• Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV.

• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.

• Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.

• School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches.

• Motorcycles.

Speed limits may 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. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 8,329 crashes, 29 fatalities, and 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways. Eleven of the people who died weren’t wearing a seat belt, and 17 of the fatalities were in crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane.

For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency kit checklist and information on PennDOT’s winter operations including a video, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/winter. Additional winter driving and other highway safety information is available at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.