Post-Snow Pottstown Hit With Extreme Cold Into Saturday

Weather Service Describes Cold as ‘Dangerous’

MOUNT HOLLY NJ – Greater Pottstown, and most of southeastern Pennsylvania, have bid goodbye to the latest snow storm. However, residents are still dealing with what the National Weather Service describes as dangerously cold conditions.

“The entire region” covered by the Philadelphia weather service office in Mount Holly NJ continues to face an “elevated” chance of severe wind chills, potentially below 0 degrees, one of its briefings said. They could be accompanied by possible “impacts to people, animals, and infrastructure, including increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite.”

The chilliest weather in some time remains through Saturday night (Jan. 25). The first break in the cold arrives Sunday. Here’s the weather service forecast as of Thursday (Jan. 23) at 7:45 a.m.:

• Thursday (Jan. 23): Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 26. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon;
• Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight;
• Friday (Jan. 24): Sunny, with a high near 28. West wind 5 to 10 mph;
• Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 8. West wind around 5 mph;
• Saturday (Jan. 25): Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph;
• Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20;
• Sunday (Jan. 26): Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37; and
• Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

The service earlier issued a “cold weather advisory” for western Montgomery, all of Berks, and western Chester counties, and specifically including Pottstown and Collegeville. Inside their homes, occupants should be aware of the “potential for frozen pipes, and increased heating energy demand, it adds.

Thermometer photo by Cathy LI on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license

Keeping An Eye On Storms

What follows is The Post’s latest (Jan. 18-20) “Storm Watch” compilation of winter weather activity, event cancellations, and other items we believe our readers want to know when Mother Nature throws a tantrum. We publish the Storm Watch feature, with around-the-clock entries, whenever severe weather occurs locally.

Pottstown Area Rapid Transit Delays Start

POTTSTOWN PA – Buses operated by Pottstown Area Rapid Transit will start on their routes Monday at 10 a.m., according to an emergency alert issued Sunday at 9:15 p.m. by the borough. The snow storm is cited as the cause. Depending on the route, PART buses usually start their runs between 6 and 8 a.m., the service’s Ride Guide shows.

Photo from Pottstown Area Rapid Transit

PennDOT Cuts, Then Restores, Speeds on Routes 422, 202, Others

Update (Jan. 20): The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) says it “has lifted all speed limit restrictions that were in place on all interstates and major highways across the Philadelphia region during the latest winter storm.”

Update (Jan. 19): Storm-related 45-mph vehicle speed restrictions placed on Interstates 76, 95, 295, 476, and 676 as mentioned in the article below, were lifted Sunday at 8 p.m. The same speed limits placed on U.S. Routes 422, 202, 30, and 1, and state Routes 63, 100 Spur, and 309, remain in effect.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has lifted all speed limit restrictions that were in place on all interstates and major highways across the Philadelphia region during the latest winter storm.

KING OF PRUSSIA PA – Speed limits on U.S. Routes 422, 202, 30, and 1 all have been reduced Sunday as of 4 p.m., according to the District 6 office of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in King of Prussia.

Speeds were cut to 45 miles per hour (mph) for all vehicles “due to the severity of the winter storm,” it says in a media release. The same reduction also applied to portions of Interstates 76, 95, 295, 476, and 676; and state Routes 63, 100 Spur, and 309. PennDOT adds it “is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.”

PennDOT’s District 5 office in Allentown also reports similar speed reductions at 4:42 p.m. on portions of Interstates 78, 80, 81, 176, 380; U.S. Routes 22 and 222; and state Route 33. Update (Jan. 20): Speed restrictions on I-78, I-81, and I-380 were removed Monday at 8:51 a.m.

Other restrictions are also in place for specified vehicles during the storm. The list of affected traffic includes some commercial vehicles, tractors, and trucks, as well as passenger vehicles towing trailers, and certain buses.

Photo by Travels With The Post

New Storm Warning Update Adds Detail

POTTSTOWN PA – The latest forecast by the National Weather Service for the Greater Pottstown area adds new storm details.

• It reports snowfall rates of up to an inch per hour should develop at times Sunday afternoon;
• Also, its estimated snow accumulation reflects an increase in minimum snowfall at 5 inches rather than 4; and
• It warns that “areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.”

The weather service office in Mount Holly NJ serves the Greater Philadelphia region. Its update was issued Sunday at 9:36 a.m.

Photo by Travels With The Post taken Sunday at 12:44 p.m.

They Help You, You Help Them

AMITY PA – Member of the crews in the Amity Township Public Works Department are offering what seems to be a fair trade.

On Facebook they told residents that salting of township roads was expected to begin at about 11 a.m. Crews “probably” would start plowing roads “by 3 (p.m.) or so,” they reported. Coincidentally, that’s when the Philadelphia Eagles are set to play the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field.

The trade? They’ll continue “throughout the day” to keep Amity drivers updated on Facebook about road conditions. In return, they ask, “you keep us updated on the Eagles score.”

Photo from Amity Township 360

Organizations Announce Closings, Cancellations

The following businesses and organizations have notified The Post of event or other cancellations, and closings. A list of them follows, with most recently received items at top. If you have a weather-related closing or cancellation, tell us via e-mail to travelswiththepost@gmail.com.

• In Collegeville, trash pick-up is being rescheduled from Monday to Wednesday (Jan. 22). It has nothing to do with the weather, though. According to a ReadyMontCo alert issued Sunday at 8:31 p.m. by the borough, it is attributed to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.
• In Pottstown, the TriCounty Active Adult Center (TRAAC) at 288 Moser Rd. had scheduled a Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at 1 p.m. in its dining room. On Sunday at 5 p.m., however, a Facebook post announced the facility will be closed Monday “due to snow.” Its staff hopes “to see everyone on Tuesday (Jan. 21),” it added. The future of the King program was not mentioned. Update (Jan. 20): The center has announced its Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held Tuesday (Jan. 21), at 1 p.m. in its dining room.
• In Gilbertsville and Barto, Wendy’s Flowers and Garden Centers says it closed both locations “due to snow.”
• In Boyertown, Frecon Farms at 501 S. Reading Ave. says it will be closing early Sunday at 1 p.m. “due to the upcoming snowstorm and out of care and consideration for the safety of our customers and team.”
• In Pottstown, Hobart’s Run is announcing that Sunday’s full annual community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Hill School Center for the Arts has been canceled. However, its primary guest – Dr. Matthew George Washington – will be speaking at the center, 766 Beech St., at 4 p.m. It is open to the public. It also is available via online streaming. Washington is the author of “The Jim Crow North: The Struggle For Civil Rights in Pottstown, PA.”
• In Boyertown, The Other Farm Brewing Company at 128 E. Philadelphia Ave. reports it will be closed Sunday “due to winter weather conditions.” It intends to re-open Wednesday (Jan. 22), it says on Facebook.
• In Barto, Union Jack’s Congo Hotel at 373 Hoffmansville Rd. will be open Sunday for limited hours, only between 12:30 and 3 p.m. It wants to supply patrons with its food, it says on Facebook, but also wants “want everyone to get home safely, so we will be closing at game time.”
• Kimberton Whole Foods – which operates stores in Phoenixville, Collegeville, Douglassville, Wyomissing, Downingtown, Malvern, and Ottsville – says in an e-mail that all its locations will close Sunday at 2 p.m. “due to the impending inclement weather. It suggested customers check its website and social media pages for updates.
• In Royersford, the Spring-Ford Area Historical Society museum at 526 Main St. will be closed. Normally, it is open Sundays from 1-3 p.m. The museum says it will re-open Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It invited visitors to see its new rotating exhibits, “Music in the Boroughs” and “Items from Bill Brunner’s Attic.”

Photo by Igor Vetushuko on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license

Here It Comes

SANATOGA PA – A light snow has begun falling Sunday at 10:29 a.m. outside the doors of The Post’s office in Sanatoga.

MontCo Extends ‘Code Blue’ Weather Emergency

NORRISTOWN PA – Montgomery County reports its “Code Blue” weather emergency, which attempts to ensure homeless individuals are brought indoors to protect them from frigid temperatures, has been extended.

It began Jan. 14 (Tuesday) at 9 p.m., and was scheduled to end Monday. With the extension, the Code Blue declaration now won’t expire until Thursday (Jan. 23) at 9 a.m.

A Code Blue is declared in Montgomery County “when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals without shelter,” it says. County residents who need emergency shelter during a Code Blue can call the Your Way Home Call Center at 610-278-3522.

PennDOT Brining Roads for Safety

KING OF PRUSSIA PA – Rain kept the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation from spreading brine on state-owned highways Saturday (Jan. 18), because it would have been washed away.

Consequently, as PennDOT spokesman Brad Rudolph explained Sunday at 6:30 a.m. to 6ABC-TV, PennDOT trucks have since been out on the roads to conduct that work. Laying down the water-and-salt mixture can help road prevent ice from forming.

Photo by Travels With The Post

Little Change in Latest Storm Warning Update

POTTSTOWN PA – The National Weather Service’s latest winter storm warning update, issued Sunday at 5:33 a.m., shows only minor changes from Saturday:

• It re-adjusts the potential for total snowfall across the TriCounty region to up to 8 inches; and
• It reports snow could start as early as 10 a.m.

The area within the warning zone remains unchanged. So do its cautions about anticipated problems with slippery highways, and the days-long period of frigid temperatures ahead.

The weather service office in Mount Holly NJ serves the Greater Philadelphia region.

‘Winter Storm Warning’ Posted Saturday Afternoon

POTTSTOWN PA – Slightly less snow than originally forecast is now expected by the National Weather Service in the Greater Pottstown area on Sunday (Jan. 19, 2025). However, the service has updated its winter storm watch to a higher level, a storm warning.

It also reports inclement conditions may last hours longer, until Monday morning at 1 a.m. rather than subside Sunday night by 11 p.m.

The weather service updated its early Saturday morning “watch” notice to that of a “warning” at 2:49 p.m. The storm remains likely to affect all of Berks and Chester counties, as well as Lehigh and Upper Bucks. However, its focus in Montgomery County is now limited to only the western half, according to newest predictions.

The boroughs of Pottstown, Collegeville, Reading, and West Chester remain in the warning zone. So too do Chalfont, Kennett Square, Honey Brook, Oxford, Allentown, and Perkasie. Norristown and Lansdale have dropped off the list.

The weather service continues to indicate heavy snow accumulations are on the way to its designated portions of east-central and southeast Pennsylvania. The window of storm activity is now anticipated from Sunday at 7 a.m. through Monday at 1 a.m.

Icy, Slippery Conditions to Persist

Its cautions also remain. “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult,” it adds. Temperatures are “expected to fall into the teens Sunday night and remain below freezing for several days,” it warns. The result: “icy and slippery conditions may persist even after precipitation has ended.”

For those who must travel, the service urges drivers to call 5-1-1 to learn of latest road conditions before heading out. It additionally recommends drivers “keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Photo by Travels With The Post

Municipalities Declare Snow, Ice Emergencies

The following municipalities have issued declarations of snow and/or ice emergencies, as allowed under their existing laws.

• In Collegeville Borough, its Office of Emergency Management asked residents to “keep snow emergency routes clear” and “use off-street parking if possible” to help its public works crews. It also offered worthwhile reminders: 1) “do not touch or drive over down wires;” 2) to prevent the formation of dangerous carbon monoxide, “do not run generators indoors;” and 3) “call 9-1-1 for all emergencies.”
• In Royersford Borough, a snow emergency was issued for Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. It asks residents to “please use off-street parking when possible, and keep snow emergency routes clear.” It’s notice came via a ReadyMontCo alert. Update (Jan. 20): Royersford rescinded its snow emergency declaration Monday at 8 a.m.
• In Upper Pottsgrove Township, residents were asked to “please remove all vehicles off the streets so we can give our plow drivers plenty of room” to clear away the snow.
• In Lower Salford Township, its snow and ice emergency is scheduled to run from Sunday at 11 a.m. through Monday at 6 a.m. During that period it specifies “all snow emergency routes are to be kept clear of parked or unattended vehicles … so that roads can be cleared.” Vehicles left parked or or abandoned on a snow emergency route may be towed and impounded, the township adds.

The Funny Alert from North Coventry Everyone Heeds

NORTH COVENTRY PA – “We are declaring a milk, eggs, and bread alert,” the North Coventry Township Office of Emergency Management proclaimed Saturday morning.

Sure, the township is having a bit of fun, but it also put such silliness to good use. It’s Facebook post reminded residents of how much snow they might expect during Sunday’s approaching storm. It suggested they clear snow from driveways before the temperature plummets and all that wetness freezes.

It also asked those living near a fire hydrant to “please shovel it out 6 feet on all sides, in the event that NorCo Fire Company Station 64 needs it in a different kind of emergency.

To those at the office, who obviously have a great sense of humor, we say “we’ll see you for breakfast!”

Photo by Imad 786 on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license

‘Winter Storm Watch’ Issued Saturday Morning

POTTSTOWN PA – Snow accumulation of between 5 and 8 inches is expected in the Greater Pottstown area “from Sunday morning through Sunday evening” (Jan. 19, 2025), according to a winter storm watch declared by the National Weather Service.

All of Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties is forecast to be hit by a storm that could bring heavy snow and strong winds, according to the service’s “winter weather message.” It specifically included the boroughs of Pottstown, Collegeville, Norristown, West Chester, and Reading.

Snow is likely to arrive Sunday at about 11 a.m., the service suggests, and “could be heavy at times.” It estimated the chance of precipitation at 90%. During the day, north winds are likely to blow at between 5 and 10 miles per hour (mph), with high temperatures near only 32 degrees.

Anticipated Storm Impacts

“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” it indicated. “Strong winds, and (the) weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Travel could be very difficult,” it added.

Chances of snow continue Sunday night, mainly before 10 p.m., it adds. The chance of precipitation is about 40%, with “new snow accumulation of around an inch possible.” Skies will be “cloudy during the early evening, then (gradually) clearing.” Low temperatures could fall to around 14 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph.

The message was issued Saturday at 3:40 a.m. by the service’s Mount Holly NJ office, which covers southeastern Pennsylvania. Also anticipated to be affected by the storm, it said, are Lehigh and upper Bucks counties; and the municipalities of Honey Brook, Chalfont, Allentown, Perkasie, Kennett Square, Oxford, and Lansdale.

Editor’s Note: This is The Post’s occasional “Storm Watch” compilation of storm-related activity, event cancellations, and other items our readers may want to know. It will be updated periodically as we receive relevant reports. It will end when the storm does.

2021 photo in Lancaster County by Travels With The Post