‘First real winter storm of the season’ is headed for Centre County. How much snow will we get?
It’s time to dig your snow boots out of the closet.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for areas of central Pennsylvania, including southern Centre County. The watch is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon.
According to Accuweather, 6-10 inches of snow are possible.
Snow is expected to start around 4 p.m. Sunday and continue into the night, with a chance of sleet after midnight, according to Tom Kines, Accuweather senior meteorologist.
“So far we’ve been living the good life,” Kines said. “This will be the first real winter storm of the season.”
As of early January, the winter season in State College had only 2.9 inches of snow, compared to average snowfall by this time of more than 11 inches, the Centre Daily Times previously reported.
Sunday’s predicted heavy snowfall comes with the usual driving hazards.
“Traveling Sunday night will be very slow,” Kines said. “If you have the option to, stay off the roads Sunday night and maybe even Monday morning, it’ll just be slow going.”
In anticipation of the snowy conditions, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Friday urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. PennDOT anticipates implementing speed and vehicle restrictions on roadways throughout the state.
Most Centre County students won’t need to worry about the possibility of a snow day Monday — the State College, Bellefonte, Penns Valley and Philipsburg-Osceola area school districts all have scheduled days off.
The snow is expected to be dry and fluffy, making it easier to shovel. But if sleet comes into play after midnight, that 6-10 inches of light snow could become compacted and much harder to move.
“I know no one will want to, but you could get out at 10 or 11 and do some shoveling or snow blowing just in case you get that sleet,” Kines said. “Worst-case scenario is you get sleet with that snow and have to shovel both.”
Despite the winter storm Sunday, the rest of the weekend will be cold but clear.
For the latest on road conditions, visit www.511PA.com.
This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 1:44 PM.