LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — Snow moving through the area slicked up roads on Wednesday morning, slowing drivers and leading to several crashes.
There have been several reports of crashes all across Lackawanna County, as well as heavy traffic on Interstate 81, the Casey Highway (Route 6), and some local roads.
On Business Route 6, right outside the Viewmont Mall, a COLTS bus and about a dozen other vehicles got stuck on the hill in slippery conditions.
On I-81 south before the Dunmore/Throop exit, there were reports of a jackknifed tractor-trailer and several other cars and trucks stuck.
On the Casey Highway (Route 6), around 10:30 a.m., drivers were taking their time on the snow-covered roads near Carbondale. There was also a car into the median near the interchange where Interstates 81, 84, and 380 meet near Dunmore.
State police were on the scene of that crash. There is no word on any injuries there.
PennDOT temporarily reduced speed limits on some of the major roadways.
"I was driving in this until we got to the top of Pittston Avenue here. The cop asked us not to go down until the plow trucks come. We're still waiting two hours later," John Eisenhauer said.
While Eisenhauer was sitting and waiting on the side of the road in Lackawanna County, he saw one of the many crashes.
"There was a tractor-trailer that just went right by and took out two cars and a city bus."
One of those cars belonged to Benjamin Avery. He had pulled over to avoid the slippery hill when a truck struck him from behind.
"I was figuring out what to do. Should I turn around, should I go down? And then, boom boom, he hit three cars and a bus right here," Avery said.
Although the first snowfall of the season calls for all of us "snow pros" up here in the northeast to joke, 'What is this your first time driving in the snow?" For some, it actually is.
"First time ever seeing snow," said Hunter Lynch. "I'm from Florida, and it has been wild, sliding here and there, everywhere."
But not everyone saw a wintry mess outside their window. Some, like 4-year-old Jewel, saw a winter wonderland instead.
"I was making a snow angel!" Jewel said.
"Unexpected, but it's exciting," said Velda Brown. "Especially for her and her snow angels and big snowballs."
Check real-time traffic conditions with WNEP Traffic Tracker.