Maybe Punxsutawney Phil was right after all.
Conditions this winter have been on the mild side and there have been few major snow events. Today, northern Blair County residents couldn’t escape the fact that winter is still very much alive.
The National Weather Service issued a snow advisory earlier today through 2 a.m. on Friday for Blair, Huntingdon, Centre and many surrounding counties. Areas to the south and east were under a heavy snow warning until 2 a.m.
Snow had already started falling before daybreak leading to a slow commute for morning motorists.
Tyrone Highway Department head Verden Latchford said his crews were out at normal time at 7 a.m. today. He said crews were scraping and salting roads and he expected them to be out all day.
The National Weather Service said in its advisory the area could expect between three to six inches of snow by late tonight.
Brian Schroeder of WTAJ 10 News said the largest snow fall to date was on Jan. 22 when the area got five inches of snow. He said since November the area has received 13.8 inches of snow.
Schroeder said their was no snowfall recorded in October of last year. Schroeder said the area will normally receive a total of about 40 inches of snow for the season. He said totals are running at less than half the average amount that would have normally fallen by this point.
The NWS advised motorists to slow down and allow extra time to reach their destinations. It also advised keeping a flashlight, food and water in the car in case of emergency.
Some School districts to the south and east including the Huntingdon Area School District canceled classes today.
Both Tyrone Borough and Bellwood Borough have specific policies regarding how residents and motorists should handle snow events.
In Tyrone Borough, a snow accumulation of three inches or more will trigger the odd/even parking policy in the borough. So that the snow can be plowed back to the curb, vehicles must be parked on the odd-numbered side of the street on the odd-numbered days and on the even side of the street on even-numbered days.
Those living on streets with one-side parking only must remove their vehicles to another area, as it relates to the odd/even requirement. If snow falls overnight, vehicles must be moved by 8 o’clock the following morning. Tyrone Borough has advised motorists that failure to comply with the order will result in the vehicle being towed.
Tyrone Borough has also advised that sidewalks must be cleared o snow/ice within 24 hours of the completion of the snowfall. If the sidewalk is icy, the responsible person should use enough sand, salt or abrasive to make pedestrian travel on the sidewalk safe. Snow should be piled on the edge of the sidewalk and not thrown out into the street. Violators are subject to a fine.
Tyrone Borough also advised when clearing spots for parking a vehicle or digging out a vehicle, you are not permitted to pile the snow on the street in front of or behind the vehicle. Residents and businesses should pile the snow on the edge of their sidewalk or property. Large piles of snow on the road are prohibited since it can obstruct the view of vehicles pulling out from street corners. The borough also noted putting the piles of snow on the street takes up needed parking spaces.
As part of the snow emergency procedures Tyrone Borough will, when possible, notify residents of snow emergency procedures through an announcement on 1340 WTRN radio.
In Bellwood Borough, there is an odd/even parking policy in the event of a snow of two inches or more.
The policy works the same as Tyrone’s, requiring motorists to park on the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days and the even- numbered side of the street on even-numbered days.
If snow falls overnight, vehicles must be moved by 8 a.m. If a vehicle is disabled, Bellwood Borough has advised it should be removed from the street.
