With State College on track to receive about four inches of snow, borough crews are working hard to keep streets and divers safe.
“Temperatures are working in our favor,” says State College Public Works Operations Manager Eric Brooks. “It’s about 33 degrees out [Wednesday afternoon], so our salt has been very effective at melting snow.”
He says borough crews began plowing and salting roads at 7:00 a.m. and will continue up through midnight. Brooks says crews began clearing main roads first, and focused on secondary and residential roads second – though all roads have now been treated.
State College police and the public works department have coordinated their efforts to make sure all roads are as safe as possible. So far, police say things have been quiet, with no accidents or major issues as a result of the snow.
Accuweather meteorologist Tom Kines says the snow started a couple hours later than originally expected, but that doesn’t seem to have slowed it down – though roads and other paved areas are holding up well.
“The fact that the past few days have been very mild is a big help,” Kines says. “The pavement tends to hold that heat in.”
He says things could get dangerous once the sun goes down and temperatures drop. Any snow that’s been melted could refreeze, leading to patches of black ice on Thanksgiving morning. That could happen again between Thursday and Friday morning, so Kines also says Black Friday shoppers should be extra careful.
PennDOT advises any Thanksgiving travelers to drive carefully and pack extra supplies in the event of an emergency. A PennDOT news releases recommends keeping an emergency kit in the cars with perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel.
For some State College residents, like Carolyn Engstrom, the snow is a major inconvenience. Because of the slick conditions, she was unable to visit her in-laws in Massachusetts.
“They were understanding,” Engstrom says. “You can’t do anything about the weather, but I’m still disappointed.”
Other residents, like Peter Chamberlain, welcome the snow. Having lived in Texas, Chamberlain says he’s used to celebrating Thanksgiving when it’s 70 or 80 degrees outside. While he’s sympathetic for anyone who has to travel today, he says he’s enjoying the snow.
“It kind of nice for this time of year,” he says. “It’s nice to have something a little more seasonal.”
Kines says the snow is expected to continue until late Wednesday night. There’s a chance for the occasional flurry on Thanksgiving, but he says snow should stop falling before Friday.
You can check on traffic conditions and road closures across the state at 511Pa.com, or follow @511PaStateColl on Twitter for live updates.
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