LEWISTOWN — Following a rather warm fall, December is kicking off as a winter wonderland as snow falls and temperatures drop.

During the first week of the month, AccuWeather is calling for between two and four inches of wet snow Tuesday morning, ending around 1 p.m. with temperatures as low as 21 degrees.

Throughout the rest of the week the sun may be shining slightly while temperatures rest in the low to mid 20s with an exception of Thursday’s anticipated low being 16 degrees, sure to keep the ice sculptures cool as the Festival of Ice begins.

The following week the cold stretch continues as AccuWeather calls for snow on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with a weekly high of 30 degrees.

As the wintery season unfolds it is important to remember road safety. According to PennDOT, last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data showed that there were 8,329 crashes, 29 fatalities, and 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways.

Eleven of the casualties 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.

PennDOT and PA Turnpike crews actively pre-treat roadways where necessary prior to winter storms. However, salt does not resolve all risks, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form.

While avoiding or delaying unnecessary travel during winter storms is the safest choice, PennDOT offers this advice if motorists must travel and encounter snow squalls or blowing or drifting snow:

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

• Turn on your headlights. If caught in a snow squall, turn on your hazard lights;

• Stay in your lane and increase your following distance;

• Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient;

• Do not drive distracted; your full attention is required;

• Use your defroster and wipers;

• Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice;

• During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely pull off the roadway;

• Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could cause a chain-reaction collision;

• Do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely;

• Always buckle up and never drive impaired;

• Have an emergency kit handy.

When winter weather occurs, drivers should be extra cautious around operating snow-removal equipment. When encountering a plow truck, drivers should:

• Stay at least six car lengths behind an operating plow truck and remember that the main plow is wider than the truck;

• Be alert since plow trucks generally travel much more slowly than other traffic.

• When a plow truck is traveling toward you, move as far away from the center of the road as is safely possible, and remember that snow can obscure the actual snow plow width;

• Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a “plow train.” The weight of the snow thrown from the plow can quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard for nearby vehicles;

• Never travel next to a plow truck since there are blind spots where the operator can’t see, and they can occasionally be moved sideways when hitting drifts or heavy snowpack;

• Keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle. Also remember that under Pennsylvania state law, vehicle lights must be on every time a vehicle’s wipers are on due to inclement weather.

The law requires drivers to remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk, and roof within 24 hours after the storm has ended. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Drivers in violation of the law are subject to a fine of $50. Additionally, drivers can be cited up to $1,500 if snow or ice is dislodged and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious injury.

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.