Inclement (Winter) Weather
Inclement (Winter) Weather
When it snows—do not shovel, push, snow blow, or plow snow into the streets.
Lancaster Township Supervisors enacted and/or modified ordinances providing for the declaration of snow emergencies and designated snow emergency routes. The ordinances define the parking regulations, travel information, and potential penalties regarding snow emergency routes during declared Snow Emergencies.
Ordinance No. 3 of 1987 prohibits the shoveling of snow onto a roadway. When clearing snow from sidewalks or driveways, be sure to pile it on your property, not in the street.
Ordinance No. 1 of 2014 requires residents to remove snow within 48 hours after snow or sleet has ceased to fall, and to cover the sidewalk with ice control materials in the event of ice and sleet.
Ordinance No. 2 of 2014 added provisions relating to parking and snow emergency routes. Click here for detailed information on snow emergencies and snow emergency routes.
SNOWSTORMS & PLOWING
During a snowstorm, while the snow is still falling, the road crew makes what we call an “emergency pass”—that is plowing in two directions up and down the street to allow for the passage of emergency vehicles. After the snow stops falling, the crew will return to widen the streets for on-street parking, and allow room for future storms.
Please remove vehicles from the street, if possible, to allow plows to get close to the edge of the road in order to get the road as wide as possible. It is recommended that reflective markers be placed along your yard in non-curbed areas. It is impossible for the plow driver to determine where the road edge is and your lawn edge begins.
Sometimes mailboxes are toppled or damaged by the snowplow if they are too close to the road edge or mounted poorly. Even properly installed mailboxes can be damaged by heavy wet snow that comes off the plow more forcefully. Every effort is made by our operators to avoid or minimize damage to property; however the repair of mailboxes, lawn areas, trees and/or shrubbery planted on the right-of-way is the responsibility of the property owner.
SOME EXTRA STEPS RESIDENTS CAN TAKE AFTER A SNOWSTORM:
Lancaster Township Supervisors enacted and/or modified ordinances providing for the declaration of snow emergencies and designated snow emergency routes. The ordinances define the parking regulations, travel information, and potential penalties regarding snow emergency routes during declared Snow Emergencies.
Ordinance No. 3 of 1987 prohibits the shoveling of snow onto a roadway. When clearing snow from sidewalks or driveways, be sure to pile it on your property, not in the street.
Ordinance No. 1 of 2014 requires residents to remove snow within 48 hours after snow or sleet has ceased to fall, and to cover the sidewalk with ice control materials in the event of ice and sleet.
Ordinance No. 2 of 2014 added provisions relating to parking and snow emergency routes. Click here for detailed information on snow emergencies and snow emergency routes.
SNOWSTORMS & PLOWING
During a snowstorm, while the snow is still falling, the road crew makes what we call an “emergency pass”—that is plowing in two directions up and down the street to allow for the passage of emergency vehicles. After the snow stops falling, the crew will return to widen the streets for on-street parking, and allow room for future storms.
Please remove vehicles from the street, if possible, to allow plows to get close to the edge of the road in order to get the road as wide as possible. It is recommended that reflective markers be placed along your yard in non-curbed areas. It is impossible for the plow driver to determine where the road edge is and your lawn edge begins.
Sometimes mailboxes are toppled or damaged by the snowplow if they are too close to the road edge or mounted poorly. Even properly installed mailboxes can be damaged by heavy wet snow that comes off the plow more forcefully. Every effort is made by our operators to avoid or minimize damage to property; however the repair of mailboxes, lawn areas, trees and/or shrubbery planted on the right-of-way is the responsibility of the property owner.
SOME EXTRA STEPS RESIDENTS CAN TAKE AFTER A SNOWSTORM:
- Snow should be plowed or shoveled to the side of the driveway away from the flow of traffic.
- Clearing snow for a distance before the driveway will allow the plow to unload before reaching the driveway entrance.
- Eliminate snow piles at driveway entrances. They may obstruct a motorist’s vision on the main road as well as those exiting the driveway.
- Please assist the fire and highway departments by clearing snow away from fire hydrants and opening up storm inlets to allow the melting snow a place to go and avoid possible flooding of the roadway.
- Do not throw snow on to roads after they have been plowed. This creates hazardous driving conditions, and is against the law.
Lancaster Township Supervisors enacted and/or modified ordinances providing for the “declaration of snow emergencies” and “designated snow emergency routes.” The ordinances (Chapter 263. Vehicles and Traffic; Article VII. Snow and Ice Emergencies) define the parking regulations, travel information, and potential penalties regarding Snow Emergency Routes during declared Snow Emergencies.
The following cul-de-sacs or dead-end roads listed are hereby designated as snow emergency routes. There shall be no parking, no standing, etc., during any declared emergency.
Snow Emergency Penalties: If at any time during a snow emergency a person parks or allows a vehicle to remain parked on a snow emergency route, or a person drives on a snow emergency route without snow tires or chains, that person shall be guilty of a violation and penalties will be enforced.
Ordinances & Plowing/Shoveling – When it snows—do not shovel, push, snow blow, or plow snow into the streets.
During inclement weather, storms, or any unusual situation, check the following for updates:
- § 263-56. Declaration of snow and ice emergency: In order to facilitate the movement of traffic and to combat the hazards of snow/ice on the snow emergency routes, the Board of Supervisors may declare a snow and ice emergency. Information on the existence as well as termination of a snow emergency may be given by the township through radio, newspaper or other available media.
- § 263-57. Parking and driving restrictions: It shall be unlawful, at any time during the continuance of the emergency, for any person to park a vehicle or to allow that vehicle to remain parked anywhere on any snow emergency route designated, or to drive any vehicle on any snow emergency route unless that vehicle is equipped with snow tires or chains.
- § 263-58. Snow Emergency Routes: The following streets or parts of streets are hereby designated as snow emergency routes. There shall be no parking, standing, etc., during any declared snow emergency.
The following cul-de-sacs or dead-end roads listed are hereby designated as snow emergency routes. There shall be no parking, no standing, etc., during any declared emergency.
- Barton Drive
- Bentley Summit
- Cold Stream Drive
- Conestoga Woods Road at Milford Drive
- Crossfield Drive
- Deep Hollow Lane
- Devon Drive
- Drummers Lane
- Elmshire Drive
- Fairfax Drive
- Grafton Circle
- Green Spring Circle
- Greythorne Road
- Maple Avenue
- North Field Drive
- North Pier Drive
- Pickford Drive
- Rabbit Hill Lane
- River Drive
- Rock Ledge Court
- St. Paul Circle
- Spring Ridge Lane
- Stockbridge Circle
- Townsend Court
- Turnbridge Drive
- Westmore Way
- Wildflower Lane
- Woodlyn Court
Snow Emergency Penalties: If at any time during a snow emergency a person parks or allows a vehicle to remain parked on a snow emergency route, or a person drives on a snow emergency route without snow tires or chains, that person shall be guilty of a violation and penalties will be enforced.
Ordinances & Plowing/Shoveling – When it snows—do not shovel, push, snow blow, or plow snow into the streets.
- Ordinance No. 3 of 1987 prohibits the shoveling of snow onto a roadway. When clearing snow from sidewalks or driveways, be sure to pile it on your property, not in the street.
- Ordinance No. 1 of 2014 requires residents to remove snow within 48 hours after snow or sleet has ceased to fall, and to cover the sidewalk with ice control materials in the event of ice and sleet.
- Ordinance No. 2 of 2014 added provisions relating to parking and snow emergency routes.
During inclement weather, storms, or any unusual situation, check the following for updates:
- Lancaster Township Website – twp.lancaster.pa.us
- Nextdoor.com
- Facebook – @LancTwpMunicipality
- Twitter – @ltemc
- WGAL Weather Alerts
- Lancaster Newspaper
- Lancaster Township Public Works Office – (717) 293-1733; M–F, 7am to 3:30pm
- For true emergencies call: 9 1 1
- Non-emergency Dispatch: (717) 664-1180
Be Prepared for Winter Storms
First, know what your local ordinances on plowing/shoveling and snow emergencies are.
Second, know the terms used to describe changing winter weather conditions and what actions to take.
Winter storms can range from a light dusting to moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow. They can be accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain. There may be power outages, and driving and walking can be very dangerous.
First, know what your local ordinances on plowing/shoveling and snow emergencies are.
Second, know the terms used to describe changing winter weather conditions and what actions to take.
- Freezing Rain – Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines.
- Sleet – Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.
- Wind Chill– Windchill is the temperature it “feels like” when you are outside.
- Winter Weather Advisory – Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous.
- Winter Storm Watch – A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information. The NWS issues a winter storm watch when severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, may affect your area but the location and timing are still uncertain. A winter storm watch is issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of a potential severe storm.
- Winter Storm Warning – A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.
- Blizzard Warning – Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.
- Frost/Freeze Warning – Below freezing temperatures are expected.
Winter storms can range from a light dusting to moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow. They can be accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain. There may be power outages, and driving and walking can be very dangerous.