Winter storm closes Centre County schools for second day

After anywhere from 6-10 inches of snow was recorded in different areas throughout Centre County, some local school districts called for delays on Thursday night.

On Friday, those delays turned to cancellations.

The Bellefonte, State College, Bald Eagle, Philipsburg-Osceola and Penns Valley area school districts are now all closed.

Penn State University Park classes/activities are now canceled for Friday.

The Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology and St. Joseph’s Academy are also closed.

Sleet and freezing rain was expected to last until about 10 or 11 p.m., according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bob Smerbeck, then turn back into snow. The snow was expected to accumulate another 1-2 inches overnight, then stop around daybreak.

Even though the precipitation should be done by the morning, Smerbeck said that the roads likely still will be a mess.

“Residual snow and a lot of debris snow around will make for slippery travel,” he said. “The precipitation will have ended, but it’s still going to be pretty slippery in the morning. Things ought to improve by mid-morning, definitely by lunchtime.”

All Centre County school districts and St. Joesph’s Catholic Academy closed Thursday due to the storm. Penn State even dismissed early, sending students home at 11 a.m., and faculty and nonessential staff at 11:30 a.m.

This story was originally published November 15, 2018 at 8:56 PM.