Submitted photo
Emma Wilt, 9, of Lewistown, stands atop a snow mound Sunday, amid a winter storm that dumped many inches of snow across the region.

LEWISTOWN — A powerful winter storm that moved through central Pennsylvania over the weekend left behind widespread snow, lingering travel issues and a prolonged stretch of cold weather, though emergency officials said the region avoided major storm-related emergencies.

The storm, which prompted a winter storm warning and widespread travel restrictions across the region, delivered significant snowfall across Mifflin and Juniata counties, followed by bitter cold that has slowed cleanup efforts and kept hazardous conditions in place into the new week.

National Weather Service forecasts ahead of the storm had called for 10 to 18 inches of snow across much of central Pennsylvania. While totals varied by location, snow accumulated across both counties, with some areas reporting lower amounts than first predicted and others receiving heavier snowfall, particularly in nearby counties and higher elevations.

Even where snowfall totals came in below the highest projections, the combination of steady snow, wind, and frigid temperatures created difficult conditions for travel and cleanup. Snow remained packed on many secondary roads and residential streets Monday, and melting was limited as temperatures stayed in the teens and single digits overnight.

Despite those conditions, Mifflin County emergency officials said the storm unfolded largely as expected.

“We had no major emergencies that were storm-related,” said Josh Pennepacker, Mifflin County’s 911 manager. “The 911 Center handled mostly medical emergencies and a few non-injury accidents.”

Pennepacker said the region’s emergency services were well prepared ahead of the storm and remained fully staffed throughout the weekend.

“All emergency services personnel performed exceptionally during the storm,” he said. “A majority, if not all, of the local volunteer fire companies had members in their stations from Saturday night on for the duration of the snowstorm.”

Local fire departments also assisted on medical calls, helping crews navigate snowy conditions and clear access where needed.

“The local fire departments were on all medical calls to help with snow removal,” Pennepacker said.

Across the region, PennDOT crews worked through the storm and into Monday to clear roads and lift travel restrictions put in place as conditions deteriorated. By early Monday morning, several truck chain-up areas and commercial vehicle detours in central Pennsylvania had been deactivated, and most tiered vehicle restrictions in PennDOT District 2 had been lifted.

Some restrictions and reduced speed limits remained in effect on major highways, including portions of Interstate 80 and Interstate 99, as crews continued to address lingering snow and icy patches.

Pennepacker said while the storm itself has passed, residents should not let their guard down.

“The storm was what we expected,” he said. “Residents still need to be cautious while out traveling, though, due to freezing conditions over the next couple of days. There was a lot of snow dumped in the area with really no place to put it.”

The cold air mass behind the storm has kept temperatures well below average, limiting melting and increasing the risk of refreezing on roads, sidewalks, and driveways. Wind chills dipped below zero at times overnight, making outdoor work and cleanup more dangerous.

Snow removal continued Monday in many neighborhoods, where residents worked to clear driveways, sidewalks and access points. In some areas, piles of snow left by plows reduced visibility and narrowed roadways, further complicating travel.

Schools and businesses that closed or adjusted schedules over the weekend began returning to normal operations, though some districts reported ongoing challenges with bus routes on less-traveled roads. Businesses that reopened on Monday saw a slower pace as residents stayed home to dig out and recover.

Utility providers reported limited outages in central Pennsylvania compared with other parts of the state and region, where hundreds of thousands of customers lost power during the storm and its aftermath. Crews remained on standby to respond to isolated issues as cold conditions persisted.

Emergency officials credited preparation and coordination for the relatively smooth response locally, noting that advanced warnings allowed agencies and residents to plan ahead.

The National Weather Service said cold conditions will continue through the week, with daytime highs struggling to climb out of the teens and overnight wind chills falling to between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees. A cold weather advisory remains in effect, and officials urged residents to continue taking precautions when traveling or spending time outdoors.

Residents are encouraged to monitor weather updates, check road conditions before traveling, and use caution as cleanup efforts continue. Officials also reminded residents to check on elderly neighbors and others who may need help during the prolonged cold.

As central Pennsylvania moves from response to recovery, officials said patience and caution remain essential as winter conditions linger longer than the snowfall itself.