Breaking: Bucks County Braces for Arctic Chill After Weekend Snowstorms
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Bucks County Braces for Arctic Chill After Weekend Snowstorms
- 2. Saturday Snow Totals (National Weather Service and community reports)
- 3. Sunday Snow totals (National Weather Service and community reports)
- 4. Upcoming Weather outlook
- 5. What This Means, In Viewpoint
- 6. Engagement Has a Voice
- 7. Pre‑storm deployment: Bucks County Highway Department dispatched 45 snowplows and 12 grit trucks to priority routes by 5 p.m. Saturday.
- 8. Weather Overview
- 9. Snow Accumulation Details
- 10. Impact on Transportation
- 11. Road Crew response
- 12. Cold Weather Advisory – Key Points
- 13. Practical Safety Tips for Residents
- 14. Impact on Schools & Local Businesses
- 15. Real‑World Example: Doylestown Emergency Response
- 16. Historical Comparison
- 17. Preparing for Future Snow Events
BUCKS COUNTY,Pa. — Two weekend winter storms left the region covered in snow and pushed temperatures toward record lows, prompting road crews to salt and plow as an Arctic air mass established itself over the area for days.
Snow fell in several rounds Saturday and Sunday, creating slick roadways and wintery landscapes from new Hope to Levittown. Residents reported multiple inches across towns, with totals varying by location and snowfall intensity.
Saturday Snow Totals (National Weather Service and community reports)
| area | Snow Total (Saturday) |
|---|---|
| New Hope Borough | 3 inches (NWS) |
| Lower Makefield Township | 2.7 inches (NWS) |
| 2 inches (NWS) | |
| Levittown | 1.8 inches (NWS) |
| Falls Township | 2 inches (reader report) |
| Langhorne Borough | 1.5 inches (NWS) |
| Solebury Township | 2.9 inches (NWS) |
| Morrisville Borough | 1.7 inches (NWS) |
| Warwick Township | 2.5 inches (reader report) |
Sunday Snow totals (National Weather Service and community reports)
| Area | Snow Total (Sunday) |
|---|---|
| Bensalem Township | 4 inches (NWS) |
| Northampton Township | 3.9 inches (NWS) |
| Tullytown Borough | 3.5 inches (NWS) |
| Levittown | 4 inches (NWS) |
| Bristol Township | 3.7 inches (reader) |
| Bristol Borough | 3 inches (reader) |
| Solebury Township | 4.5 inches (reader) |
The weekend system, followed by an Arctic air outbreak, kept highway crews busy. Salting operations were active Saturday, with plowing needed again as Sunday’s system moved through the region. Overnight, slushy patches froze, creating slick spots on roadways as temperatures plummeted.
Forecasts from the National Weather Service call for continued wind chills between 0 and minus 15 degrees Monday night into Tuesday morning,with a Cold Weather Advisory in effect for Tuesday morning. While no additional snow is currently forecast for the week, forecasters warned of the possibility of another storm system next weekend.
Upcoming Weather outlook
- Monday: Mostly sunny, around 34°F. Southwest wind 5–15 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, near 14°F. west wind 10–15 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, around 21°F. Wind chill as low as 0°F. West wind 10–15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, around 8°F. Light winds, calming later.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, about 33°F. Light south wind 5–10 mph.
- thursday: Mostly sunny, near 41°F.
- friday: Partly sunny, around 30°F.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, near 19°F.
What This Means, In Viewpoint
Snow in back-to-back storms underscores the importance of winter preparedness. Residents are urged to check road conditions before travel, clear driveways safely, and monitor local advisories as colder air settles in. Snow can create hazardous driving conditions even after it stops, as treated surfaces refreeze and night-time temperatures drop further.
Tip: store essentials,keep extra blankets and a charged phone,and ensure pets have warm shelter. For drivers, keep a full windshield washer reservoir and drive slowly on snowy or icy roads.
Engagement Has a Voice
What steps are you taking to stay safe during this cold snap? Share your best tips for winter driving and home preparedness in the comments.
Have you captured snow scenes or travel updates from your neighborhood? Post them here to help others plan their week.
Disclaimer: For health, finance, or legal topics, consult qualified professionals.weather information is provided by the National Weather Service and local reports and may change with new data.
Pre‑storm deployment: Bucks County Highway Department dispatched 45 snowplows and 12 grit trucks to priority routes by 5 p.m. Saturday.
Weekend Snowstorms Deliver Up to 4 Inches of Snow Across Bucks County, Prompting Road Crews and a Cold Weather Advisory
Published: 2026‑01‑20 11:07:01
Weather Overview
- Event timeline: A series of low‑pressure systems moved through the Mid‑Atlantic on Saturday night and sunday morning, bringing heavy snowfall to southeastern Pennsylvania.
- Snowfall totals: the national Weather Service (NWS) recorded 0.5–4.0 inches of fresh snow across Bucks County, with the highest accumulation in the northern townships of Doylestown and Silver Lake.
- Temperature profile: Surface temperatures hovered between 15°F and 25°F, while wind chills dropped to 5°F in open areas, triggering a Cold Weather Advisory that remained in affect through Tuesday morning.
Snow Accumulation Details
| Area | Measured Snowfall (in.) | Peak Wind Speed (mph) | Wind Chill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doylestown (North) | 4.0 | 12 | 7°F |
| Buckingham | 3.5 | 10 | 9°F |
| Newtown | 2.8 | 9 | 12°F |
| Langhorne | 2.2 | 8 | 14°F |
| Trenton (border) | 1.6 | 7 | 16°F |
– Snow density was typical for January, resulting in a wet‑snow accumulation that increased vehicular traction challenges.
- Ice patches formed on bridges and overpasses where the temperature briefly dipped below 28°F during the night shift.
Impact on Transportation
- Road closures: PennDOT reported 12 temporary lane closures on Route 611, Route 263, and the U.S. Route 1 corridor due to drifting snow and icy conditions.
- public transit: SEPTA’s Route 120 bus service between Doylestown and Trenton experienced a 30‑minute delay on Sunday, with two scheduled trips canceled.
- travel advisories: The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission issued an advisory for increased stopping distances and recommended reduced speeds of 35‑45 mph on the 2‑lane sections of the Turnpike in Bucks County.
Road Crew response
- Pre‑storm deployment: Bucks County Highway Department dispatched 45 snowplows and 12 grit trucks to priority routes by 5 p.m. Saturday.
- Snow removal timeline:
- Phase 1 (0‑2 hrs after snowfall): Main arterials cleared, including Route 611 & Route 263.
- Phase 2 (2‑6 hrs): Secondary roads and residential streets received grit treatment and partial plowing.
- Phase 3 (6‑12 hrs): Post‑storm cleanup focused on debris removal and sand submission to high‑traffic intersections.
- Coordination: Real‑time updates were shared through the Bucks County 311 app, allowing residents to locate the nearest active crew.
- Safety protocols: Crews operated with winter tires, heated shelters, and on‑site communication radios, complying with the Department of Labor’s Winter Weather Safety Guidelines (2025 edition).
Cold Weather Advisory – Key Points
- Effective period: Saturday, 10 p.m. – Tuesday, 8 a.m. (local time).
- advisory triggers: Forecasted minimum temperatures below 20°F and wind chills under 10°F for more than six consecutive hours.
- Health warnings: Emphasis on hypothermia and frostbite risks for outdoor workers, senior citizens, and pets.
- Utility precautions: The Bucks County Power Authority warned of potential line sagging and urged customers to keep refrigerators at 40°F to prevent food spoilage during possible outages.
Practical Safety Tips for Residents
- Travel smart:
- Check live traffic maps on PennDOT’s 511PA portal before heading out.
- Carry a full‑size windshield scraper, snow brush, and an emergency kit (blanket, flashlight, non‑perishable snacks).
- Home protection:
- Insulate exposed pipes with foam pipe sleeves to avoid freezing.
- Keep a minimum of 3 hours of heating fuel on hand if you rely on oil or propane.
- Pet care:
- Provide heated shelters and limit outdoor time to 15‑minute intervals during extreme wind chill.
Impact on Schools & Local Businesses
- School closures: the Bucks County School District announced a single‑day closure for Doylestown High school and Upper Southampton elementary, citing unsafe road conditions and delayed bus routes.
- Business adaptations:
- Retail: Local pharmacies extended curb‑side pickup hours to accommodate customers unable to navigate snowy streets.
- Hospitality: Several Bucks County inns offered discounted “snow‑stay” packages, marketing the cozy atmosphere as a weekend getaway.
Real‑World Example: Doylestown Emergency Response
On Saturday, Jan 18, a 42‑year‑old motorist stalled on the northbound lane of Route 263 after hitting an ice patch near New Britain Road. Bucks County EMS arrived within 8 minutes, while a snowplow cleared the lane in 12 minutes. The incident highlighted the importance of quick crew mobilization and the effectiveness of the county’s real‑time incident reporting system.
Historical Comparison
- 2018 vs. 2026: The 2018 “Snowstorm of the Decade” deposited 6–8 inches across Bucks County, leading to 72‑hour road closures. In contrast,the 2026 event’s 4‑inch maximum and enhanced crew readiness limited closures to average 4‑hour disruptions per affected road.
- Trend analysis: data from the Pennsylvania Climate Office shows an average increase of 0.3 inches per decade in January snowfall for Bucks County, suggesting that future winter events may require expanded snow‑removal fleets.
Preparing for Future Snow Events
- Community tools: Encourage residents to download the Bucks County Snow Alert app, which provides push notifications for snowfall predictions and crew locations.
- Infrastructure upgrades:
- Prioritize anti‑icing treatments on high‑risk bridges during the pre‑season (October‑November).
- Invest in electric snow‑melt pavement for critical intersections, a pilot program currently under review by the pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
- Volunteer Programs: Expand the “Neighbor Snow Patrol” initiative, pairing able‑bodied seniors with volunteers for driveway clearing, thereby reducing isolation during prolonged cold spells.
For live updates on road conditions, snowfall totals, and safety advisories, visit the official Bucks County website or follow @BucksCountyPA on X.
