As a winter storm bears down on the region, Ross Township officials are advising residents to stay home this weekend if travel is not necessary.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings, and meteorologists are predicting 10 to 12 inches of snow could fall.
Forecasters told TribLive it could be the biggest snowfall in Western Pennsylvania in more than 15 years.
Severe weather conditions are expected to start at 7 p.m. Saturday and last until noon Monday. The highest intensity of snowfall is expected Saturday night through the day Sunday.
In response, Ross issued a winter storm update Friday detailing its road treatment plan.
Its Public Works crews will prioritize plowing all township roads. Salt will be applied primarily to hills and intersections.
Because salt is less effective amid frigid temperatures, anyone who must navigate roadways should be extra cautious and allow additional time to get to their destination.
Once the storm has ended, crews will return to the roadways Monday morning to apply a salt/anti-skid mixture to improve road conditions.
Officials are requesting patience as its full crew works each route throughout the township. They also noted roads will remain snow-covered as the storm progresses.
The township reminds residents to not park their vehicles on the street, if possible, and to give plow trucks plenty of space to operate safely. Residents also should not dump snow onto roadways while clearing their sidewalks and driveways.
