Students make their way around Hughesville High School during a snowy morning in December 2022. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Christmas holiday weekend is going to be bitter cold, with winds in Williamsport gusting to 38 miles per hour, and travel conditions requiring full tanks of gasoline, a winter emergency kit and avoidance of any unnecessary travel.

Temperatures from Friday through Sunday are anticipated to be in the teens during the day and with wind chills below zero and minus 10 to 15 degrees at night and early morning, according to the National Weather Service in State College.

Kim Smith, the safety press officer at the state Department of Transportation District 3 office in Montoursville, spoke in an interview with the Sun-Gazette head of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Technology with mobile phone apps and computers is available that can help provide real-time data for those heading out to shop, visit or travel for whatever purpose.

“We recommend using the 511 PA app for road conditions and for avoiding any unnecessary travel,” she said.

That may be an anomaly for Christmas weekend, but it will be bitter cold outside, and exposure outdoors to any open skin can result in frostbite in 10 minutes.

The 511 PA app also provides travel alerts, such as conditions of interstates and highways and a tracking device that can pinpoint plow truck operations.

“We recommend carrying in your vehicle an emergency kit,” she said.

That should, ideally, contain a cell phone charger, blankets, shovels, any medications one must take, baby and infant items such as diapers and formula, pet food and bottled water.

Remember to always take a communication device such as the cell phone when traveling.

To ensure safe travel in these hazardous conditions, PennDOT and municipal road crews have prepared the routes with salt and anti-skid. However, during extremely cold temperatures the effectiveness of salt on the road surface can be limited, so motorists are asked to remain cautious.

For those heading out to shop or visit people, it is recommended that drivers adjust their driving to weather conditions and plan ahead.

For example, it may be more opportune to start traveling a bit earlier or later depending on the weather forecast.

The weather forecast for today indicates that the cold will be felt across the nation. The conditions are worse in the Midwest and near Midwest, as the powerful Siberian Express of arctic air arrives.

The air temperature will drop to as low with wind chill values to minus 10 degrees by nightfall in Williamsport, according to the National Weather Service in State College.

The rain that fell early has likely transitioned to snow making travel hazardous as wind gusts could reach 38 mph.

The snow accumulation isn’t going to be deep, forecast for less than 1 inch possible.

Wind chill values can be as low as -15 through the early morning hours of Christmas Eve.

On Saturday, it will be mostly cloudy but the high only reaching near 14. West wind will be around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Christmas Eve also will be cold, around 9.

Christmas Day will be partly sunny, with a high near 22 and a low of 8 at night.

It warms up slightly Monday, with partly sunny conditions, a day when many make returns of Christmas gifts to stores. It will be bitter cold, though, with a high near 25.

Temperatures don’t become pleasant until Wednesday when the city and region can anticipate a high near 32 and partly sunny conditions.

PennDOT has a complete winter driving alert tip sheet. It could potentially save lives or misery for those throughout the winter.

• Listen to weather and travel advisories, but if you don’t have to travel in bad weather, don’t.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full.

• Slow down and increase following distance.

• Avoid sudden stops and starts.

• Beware of roads that may look wet, but are actually frozen, often referred to as “black ice.”

• Use extra caution on bridges and ramps, where ice can often form without warning.

• Carry a cellphone.

• Do not use cruise control while driving on snow-covered roads.

• State law requires you to turn on your headlights when your windshield wipers are on.

• Use your low beams in particularly bad weather, especially in cases of heavy or blowing snow.

• Remove ice and snow from windows, mirrors, and all vehicle lights before you drive and as often as needed.

• Remove snow and ice from the hood and roof of your vehicle. State law states that if snow or ice from your vehicle strikes a vehicle or person and causes death or injury, you can be ticketed.

• Do not park or abandon your vehicle on snow emergency routes.

• Do not pass or get between trucks plowing in a plow line (several trucks plowing side by side).

• Make sure someone else knows where you are going and when you expect to arrive. In case you run into an emergency and need help, someone will know where to look for you.

• If you do become stranded, it’s better to stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Run the engine every hour or so, but make sure the tailpipe is clear and keep the downwind window cracked open.

• Do not drink and drive, and always wear your seat belt.