Residents in the area awoke this morning to more snow, and it was continuing to fall at presstime. Forecasters said more than six inches of precipitation, including sleet, fell in the area overnight and more is yet to come.
In some areas, snow is expected to fall at the rate of 1-2 inches an hour.
Plows were out early in most municipalities, as crews began the tedious task of pushing the snow to the already lined streets.
In both Bellwood and Tyrone boroughs, officials are still scratching their heads trying to figure out what to do with all the snow. Antis, Tyrone and Snyder townships are also having problems with the amounts of snow adding up.
Driving was dangerous as day broke this morning. Roads not yet tended to were slippery and visibility was low all across the region. State Route 322, between Port Matilda and State College, was almost impossible to drive on as traffic was reduced to a single lane.
The Daily Herald placed phone calls to each area municipal highway department, but with crews out clearing roads all morning, calls were not returned.
Like in most other areas, both area school districts cancelled classes today, which will extend the students’ school year even further into June.
According to Accuweather.com Meteorologist Philip Birnie, the storm that brought ice, snow, sleet and rain to the Eastern Plains was moving north into Ontario. An associated low pressure system was strengthening over North Carolina and will slide north today.
Ahead of this low, cold air in place will allow much of the precipitation to start as freezing rain and sleet before changing to all rain. Where there is more cold air in place, the precipitation will remain all freezing rain and sleet; this will be seen primarily west of the I-95 corridor.
Farther west in the Central Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania, New York, and even parts of West Virginia, the primary threat will be heavy snow where 6 or more inches is expected.
As the storm moves north today, rain will spread along coastal areas with the mix continuing north of the storm. This storm will move out of the Mid-Atlantic region later this evening allowing for some clearing tonight. A more pleasant day is expected on Wednesday with a few flurries in the morning; otherwise, breezy and cold with times of cloud and sun with highs reaching near 40 degree.
Thursday’s forecast calls for some sun, then turning cloudy and colder with a high of about 25.
More snow is expected Friday evening, with sleet possible.
