Residents across Central Pennsylvania are on high alert as a major winter storm system is forecast to impact the region this weekend, threatening significant snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in State College issued a Weather Impact Alert on Wednesday, citing increasing confidence in a storm that will begin late Saturday and continue through Sunday. While the exact track remains under monitoring, meteorologists warn that “plowable” snow is becoming likely, especially for areas south of I-80.
The storm is expected to emerge from the Southern Plains, with snow moving into Central Pennsylvania by late Saturday then moving into Sunday and possibly Monday.
Current Probabilities: There is currently a 60% to 80% chance of snowfall exceeding 6 inches for areas south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Northern Extent: Areas as far north as I-80 have a 50% chance of seeing 6 inches or more, though the northward extent of the heaviest bands remains uncertain.
Following the weekend snow, an “Arctic air mass” is set to move into the Commonwealth. Forecasters predict a “prolonged period of well-below-normal temperatures” that will likely persist through the end of January. High temperatures early next week may struggle to reach the teens, with sub-zero wind chills expected.
“Regardless of exact totals, slow travel and schedule adjustments are becoming more likely for folks traveling later this weekend,” the NWS stated in their morning discussion.
With the threat of power outages and hazardous road conditions, state officials are urging residents to prepare now.
