Fall snow Thursday through Friday made for treacherous travel north and northwest of the Lehigh Valley, with two fatalities in the Pocono Mountains believed to be weather-related.

For Pennsylvania hunters heading out Saturday for the start of black bear firearms season, the snow could make it all the better to see game moving through the forest.

Snowfall reports from the National Weather Service include 11.5 inches as of Friday morning at Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport and 9.4 inches at Mount Pocono, both in Monroe County, and 9.5 inches at Lake Harmony in Carbon County.

Snow reports in the Lehigh Valley were limited to a trace amount at Lehigh Valley International Airport and 0.3 inches in Salisbury Township, while parts of northwestern New Jersey saw as much as 20 inches at High Point in Sussex County.

Pennsylvania’s gun bear season continues Sunday through Tuesday. After Thanksgiving, gun season for white-tailed deer begins on Saturday, November 30.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reminding those hitting the road in snowy areas to remove any accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof, within 24 hours after the storm ends. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Drivers who violate the law face a $50 fine. In addition, motorists can be fined up to $1,500 if snow or ice dislodges and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian, causing death or serious injury.

PennDOT also suggests that motorists prepare for possible winter weather by making sure they have items in their car before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and – scraper, and any specialized items such as medications or baby and pet supplies.

Drivers are also encouraged to allow adequate space around plow trucks. Additional winter driving tips can be found at pa.gov.

For hunting and other outdoor recreation, the National Park Service has winter safety tips at nps.gov, including:

Make sure you have the right equipment 10 essentials. That includes wearing layers to stay warm when temperatures drop; considering ‘over the shoe’ traction devices to prevent slipping; using sunglasses to protect your eyes from snow blindness; and packing an emergency locating device, such as an avalanche transceiver, and an emergency blanket in case you are delayed by bad weather.

Recognize and know how to respond to cold-related illnesses. Warning signs of hypothermia include confusion, shivering, difficulty speaking, and stiff muscles. Frostbite can cause loss of sensation and color in the areas it affects, usually limbs, and severe cases can lead to amputation.