FRANKLIN COUNTY – The latest winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service for South-central Pennsylvania has already prompted most local school districts to shut down tomorrow (Feb. 20).
Forecasters are calling for 4-6 inches of snow overnight followed by heavy mixed precipitation that could lay a tenth to a quarter of an inch of ice on top of that snow cover.
As of Tuesday night, the forecast is for it to start snowing at around 4 a.m. Wednesday and snow most of the day.
The overnight low will hover at 29 degrees, then drop to 28 for a few hours in the morning.
The big problem will occur when temperatures rise to 33 degrees in the afternoon, turning the snow into sleet and slush and creating an icy top layer when they drop again in the late afternoon.
The chance of participation will be 100 percent Wednesday with five to ten mile-per-hour winds. Rain will continue tomorrow night.
By Thursday the storm will have moved on and by afternoon the sun will be out.
Thursday’s high is expected to reach 47 degrees. Sunday’s high will be 59, according to the weather report.
Don’t make plans for a picnic or hike to enjoy that balmy spring weather though.
It is supposed to rain both Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, keeping Wednesday’s frigid forecast in mind, NWS advises staying inside tomorrow if at all possible, warning that prolonged exposure to cold can cause hypothermia.
If you have to be out and about, plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Wednesday. Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania
Turnpike Commission strongly encourage motorists to heed all
travel restrictions and delay unnecessary travel.
Visit www.511pa.com for the latest travel, roadway and traffic
conditions.
Vicky Taylor can be reached at 717-372-0079 or by email at info@fcfreepress.com
