Ready PA Monthly - November 2025 |
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Snow, Ice, and Cold... Oh My! |
Winter in Pennsylvania can bring snow, ice, freezing rain, and bitter cold. Each year, Winter Weather Preparedness Week is a reminder to get ready before the first storm comes.
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| Winter Weather Preparedness Week
November 2 - 7, 2025
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Being prepared helps you stay safe no matter what winter brings.
Start by checking your home and car. Make sure your heating system works properly and have chimneys and vents cleaned. Keep an emergency kit with flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, and non-perishable food. In your car, store items such as a scraper, shovel, jumper cables, water, and a blanket. For more items to keep in your emergency kit, visit here.
When temperatures drop, wearing layers is one of the best ways to stay warm. Start with a base layer made of warm fitted clothing such as long underwear or thermal leggings and a long-sleeved shirt to trap heat, add insulating layers, and finish with a waterproof outer layer to block wind and snow. Do not forget a warm hat, gloves, and waterproof boots, and in extreme cold, add a face covering to protect against frostbite.
Know the Forecast — Let’s Taco ’Bout It! Think of weather alerts like making tacos. A Winter Storm Watch means we have all the ingredients ready for a storm, but it might not happen yet. A Winter Storm Warning means the tacos are ready and it is happening now. An Advisory means things may get a little messy, so use caution when you head out.
Plan ahead before traveling. Check forecasts and road conditions, and delay trips if snow or ice is expected. You can visit 511PA.com for travel updates and sign up for alerts here. to get important weather information sent directly to your phone.
A little preparation now can make a big difference later. Take time this week to review your emergency plan, restock your supplies, and stay informed all winter long.
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Fast, Fierce, and Dangerous
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Winter in Pennsylvania often means snow, ice and freezing temperatures. But there is another winter hazard that can appear suddenly and turn dangerous in seconds... the snow squall.
What Is a Snow Squall and Why Are They So Dangerous?
A snow squall is a short burst of heavy snow and strong winds that can quickly drop visibility to near zero, making roads extremely dangerous. Think of it as a mini blizzard that moves fast, often lasting less than an hour. Roads
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| Snow Squall Awareness Week
November 10 - 14, 2025
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can go from clear to covered in snow and ice within minutes, catching drivers off guard. As temperatures fall, melted snow can freeze into a thin, hard-to-see layer of ice, creating sudden, slippery conditions that make driving very hazardous.
How to Stay Safe
Snow squalls can develop fast, but a few simple steps can help you stay safe on the road.
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Check the forecast before you drive. Look for snow squall warnings from the National Weather Service.
- If a Snow Squall Warning appears on your phone, delay travel if you can. The safest choice is to wait it out.
- If you are already driving, do not slam on your brakes. Slow down gradually, turn on your headlights and hazard lights, stay in your lane, and increase your distance from other vehicles.
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If possible, pull over at the next safe location and wait for conditions to improve.
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- Plan ahead before winter travel.
- Download the 511PA App or visit 511PA.com to check road conditions, speeds, and weather alerts in real time.
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Keep an emergency kit in your car with warm clothes, blankets, water, snacks, and a flashlight.
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Sign up for AlertPA to get emergency and weather alerts directly on your phone.
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Snow squalls can be sudden and intense, but staying alert and prepared can help you arrive safely.
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Don't Be Caught Off Guard: Stay Informed
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Stay safe when winter weather hits with two trusted tools AlertPA and 511PA. AlertPA delivers instant CodeRED Weather Warnings and emergency updates from the National Weather Service and other agencies, right to your phone.
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Signing up is free and easy, and you can choose which alerts you receive. 511PA provides real-time road conditions, traffic speeds, and weather impacts across more than 40,000 miles of Pennsylvania roadways. You can personalize travel alerts, check live traffic cameras, and plan your route before heading out.
Access 511PA anytime at 511PA.com, on the free mobile app, or by calling 5-1-1.
Stay informed, plan ahead, and keep your family safe all winter long.
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Don't Let Your Feast Go Up in Flames!
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Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy good food, but it is also one of the busiest days of the year for home cooking fires. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that the number of home fires on Thanksgiving Day is more than double that of any other day.
Before the holiday begins, take a few simple steps to keep your home and family safe.
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- Stay alert while cooking. Never leave the kitchen unattended while using the stove or oven. Keep children and pets away from hot surfaces and turn pot handles inward to prevent spills.
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Be extra careful with turkey fryers. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before frying, and use the fryer outside on a flat, level surface away from your home, porch, or garage. Never overfill the pot with oil and always have a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Be prepared. If a fire starts, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher and never use water to put out a grease fire.
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Keep food safe to eat. Wash your hands often, separate raw meat and poultry from other foods, and cook all dishes to the correct internal temperature. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.
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Taking time to cook safely helps make sure your holiday stays happy and fire-free. Cook carefully, enjoy the holiday, and keep safety on the menu this Thanksgiving.
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