The state Department of Transportation and the state Turnpike Commission are advising motorists to avoid all unnecessary travel during the winter storm predicted for arrival after lunchtime today.

They are also anticipating restrictions for trucks and other vehicles, which they expect to be imposed on certain roads and highways around the state.

PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton advised motorists who cannot avoid travel later today to download the 511PA app on their smartphones before heading out.

The app offers real-time, hands-free traffic advisories.

“Speed restrictions and vehicle bans will be used extensively during this storm, and you will want to be fully apprised of any changes,” Compton said.

The expected restrictions listed in a PennDOT news release this morning are mostly for highways or stretches of statewide highways in the central and eastern part of the state, which is slated to be more heavily impacted by the storm.

The PennDOT news release urges all drivers to:

• Be alert for sudden squalls.

• Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits conditions.

• Be patient and observe traffic as far as possible.

• Do not drive distracted.

• Use defrosters and wipers.

• In a whiteout, only stop completely when you can safely pull off the road.

• Do not stop in traffic, which can cause a chain-reaction collision.

• Do not pass slow vehicles or speed up to get away from vehicles following too closely.

Motorists are reminded that snow will remain on roads while precipitation is falling.

With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, so extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps.

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