Centre County is under a winter weather advisory until 5 p.m. on Thursday and a wind chill advisory for Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
With snow falling throughout the area during the day on Thursday, up to 6 inches is expected to accumulate before changing over to rain in the late afternoon in the State College area, according to AccuWeather.
A blast of brutally cold temperatures will hit the area beginning on Friday. The wind chill advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. on Saturday, with wind chill as low as -25 degrees. Frequent wind gusts of between 35 and 45 mph are expected.
According to AccuWeather, air temperatures will reach the upper 30s on Friday before plummeting into the single digits later in the day and throughout Saturday. The bitter cold will continue on Sunday with a high of 15
“Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute,” the NWS advisory stated. “Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.”
Here’s a look at the impacts that the snow and anticipated severe cold are having around the area.
• State College has declared a snow emergency, requiring all parked vehicles to be removed from public roadways to allow for Public Works to clear snow. All parking regulations will be strictly enforced, and no parking permissions will be granted for the duration of the snow emergency. Any vehicle left parked on a public roadway may be ticketed and towed to allow for snow removal.
• Harris Township has declared a snow emergency. No parking is permitted on public streets until 10 a.m. on Friday. Vehicles parked on public roads will be ticketed.
• Patton Township also is under a snow emergency. No parking is permitted on township roadways until the emergency has been lifted.
• Ferguson Township reminds residents that with 2 inches of snow accumulation all vehicles must be removed from the road until 48 hours after the end of snowfall.
• After-school activities are canceled for State College, Bald Eagle, Bellefonte and Penns Valley school districts.
• Penn State is canceling activities and work at the University Park campus from 5 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday. Only employees who perform essential services should report to campus during that time.
• Centre Volunteers in Medicine will be closed on Friday.
• Schlow Centre Region Library will be closed on Friday.
• The State College Municipal Building is closing at noon on Friday.
• Penn State Health State College regional clinics and offices will be closed to in-person activities and visits as of noon on Friday. Afternoon clinic sessions have been converted to telehealth where appropriate. Phones will be transferred to the assigned after-hours call services.
• The following Mount Nittany Health locations will close at noon on Friday:
All Mount Nittany Physician Group practices
Lab and imaging services at Mount Nittany Physician Group locations
Mount Nittany Health – Sieg Neuroscience Center
Mount Nittany Health Center for Wound Care, including Diabetes Foot Clinic and Orthotics
Mount Nittany Health Pain Management Program
Mount Nittany Medical Center outpatient programs:
Cardiac/pulmonary rehab
Speech therapy
Medical treatment unit
Anticoagulation clinic
Bellefonte Corporate Services
Courier services
Patients should call for hours for Radiation/Oncology Therapy, Mount Nittany Health Breast Care Center and Cancer Care Partnership. Mount Nittany Health Surgical Center and Mount Nittany Medical Center – including the emergency department, endoscopy services and laboratory services — will remain open.
• Speed limits were reduced to 45 miles per hour on Interstate 80, Interstate 99 and Route 322 in Centre County but have since been restored to their usual posted limits, according to PennDOT.
Motorists should be aware of the potential for snow squalls, high winds and freezing conditions throughout the weekend. PennDOT recommends motorists avoid traveling during winter storms if possible, but those who must be on the road are urged to use caution while driving.
Squalls can cause whiteout conditions and cause roads to become quickly covered with snow. High winds also may cause blowing and drifting snow and downed trees and power lines. Quickly falling temperatures on Friday are expected to cause cause icing conditions, and motorists are advised to watch for roadways that may look wet but could actually be frozen.
