Drifting should make for a challenge as the morning wears on. Watch video
First things first, let's talk about the roads.
Routes 22 and 33 and Interstate 78 in Lehigh and Northampton counties were mostly snow-covered but plowed by 5:30 this morning, with speeds limited to 45 mph, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. PennDOT spokesman Ron Young, on WFMZ, called the highways "passable." Interstates 80 and 78 in Warren and Hunterdon counties are running very slow, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.As dawn neared, Interstate 78 lanes began to show pavement. By 8 o'clock, parts of Route 22 were clearing and much of I-78 was clear of snow.
There were no major crashes at that hour. Keep up with highway traffic in Pennsylvania here and New Jersey here. Drifting should make for a challenge as the morning wears on.
"If you MUST travel during the storm, please use extra caution and reduce your speed," the New Jersey DOT warns on its website. "Be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and greatly reduced visibility."
Major roads in the area of Allen Township in Northampton County -- including Airport Road, Route 329 and Route 512 -- were snow-covered but passable as the weather slowed; side roads were more difficult. Major roads in Easton were in the same condition, although College Avenue, which links Downtown to College Hill, was mostly down to pavement in the travel lanes.
Side roads in Bethlehem were in rough shape at 8 o'clock but major routes were passable.
As the morning moved on, once snow-covered streets in Downtown Easton began to clear. Northampton Street and North Fourth Street were wet at 9:25.
View full sizeEaston's North Third Street is plowed but snow-covered about 5 this morning, which is true of many roads before sun-up. How are the roads in your area? Please sign in, let us know about your neighborhood and share photos in our comments section below.
Delivery of today's Express-Times was delayed by the weather.How much did it snow? The National Weather Service just before 7:30 had some trained spotter and public postings from later in the storm: Bethlehem (7.5" at 4:57 a.m.), Readington Township (5.7 inches at 5:53 a.m.), Clinton (6.5 inches at 6:11 a.m.) and Hope Township (5.5 inches at 3:44 a.m.). The official total is 7.2 inches as of 7 a.m. at Lehigh Valley International Airport.
Police and emergency dispatchers in the Lehigh Valley and northwest New Jersey report just before 6:30 few problems so far.
"Hopefully everybody will behave this morning," a trooper at the Belfast barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police said.
A Lehigh County dispatcher added, "It seems like people are staying home so far."
A trooper at the New Jersey State Police barracks at Perryville along Interstate 78 in Hunterdon County, said there were no problems in the highway. "It's snowy. That's really all we've got for you."'
A trooper at the Bethlehem barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police also was having a quiet pre-dawn. "We haven't had any incidents," he said. "We haven't had any accidents called in."
A trooper at the Fogelsville barracks in Lehigh County summed up the general sentiment: "So far, so good." A Northampton County emergency dispatch supervisor added, "No, not a thing this far." Her four-wheel-drive vehicle negotiated the snow with few problems, she said.
A Phillipsburg dispatcher was about to find out exactly how good the roads were in town. There had been no problems up until then, she said. "We're getting ready to go home, so we'll see," she said with a laugh.
Several flights this morning out of Lehigh Valley International Airport have been canceled, according to the Hanover Township, Lehigh County, airport's website. The airport director, on WFMZ this morning, suggested travelers check the schedule before leaving home.
Snow emergencies are in place throughout the region, so watch where you park. Many schools are closed; check out the list by clicking on this link.
It's 13 degrees with a wind chill of zero as I write this. Today's high will be 15 and the overnight low will be about minus 3 degrees. It's going to be windy and frigid as you go out to shovel. Be careful.
Freelance photographer Chris Post contributed to this post.