Very bad day in northwest PA
The news media reports at least 3 major pile-ups on PA interstates in the northwest. I've heard that 3 were killed, but just one pile-up involved 50 vehicles. Pictures showed big trucks involved as well. (I saw one Ozark tractor) There is information on this site that should help many to survive the weather.
It's very common for 4-wheelers to slow down when they can't see because of "white-out" conditions. Traditionally, since trucks have a higher vantage point, visibility is better (as far as seeing where the road is), but it doesn't matter what size the vehicle is, powder snow will lift off the road and hide the vehicle. Judging the distance to what's in front of you becomes a chore.
The other thing that happens, is when visibility gets poor, the slowed traffic also packs down the snow instead of lifting it off the road so the breeze can blow it away. In "white-out" conditions, snow will be, both, loose, lifting, and hanging in the air... And, packed down onto the road. By the time you get to see tail lights (or even brake lights), you're too close. If those lights are brake lights, the vehicle may be nearly stopped, and if you're still moving, you're going to meet someone and exchange information.
When I was driving, I came up with a rule that if the snow was not blown away or settled back down, I was too close. I didn't make a lot of headway, but I also didn't get any fresh scratches or dents.
On the weather channel, they just said that they have "HAZMAT" on the road in Venango County, on I-80. Another major accident (pile-up) was on I-79, north of I-80. Looks like Venango and Mercer counties.
Other than that, Northern WI, MN, and ND are having issues with visibility due to heavy snowfall.
__________________
( R E T I R E D , and glad of it)
YES ! ! ! There is life after trucking.
a GOOD life
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