MERCER COUNTY — Parts of Interstate 80 are closed by a series of snow-related crashes.

I-80 was the scene of an 18-vehicle pileup in Clarion County Wednesday afternoon that killed two motorists when snow squalls created whiteout conditions.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says the eastbound lanes now are closed from the Ohio border to the New Castle exit about four miles into Pennsylvania. The westbound lanes were closed because of crashes on five-mile stretch between the Franklin exit at mile marker 29 at Barkeyville to the Sandy Lake exit at mile marker 24 just north of Grove City.

A line of snow squalls is moving through the area, according to the National Weather Service.

Both sides of the highway were expected to reopen by late morning.

There were no immediately reports of serious injuries or fatalities.