With the worst of extreme cold still to come, Penn State’s University Park campus has canceled classes and activities after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and all day on Thursday.
Faculty and non-essential staff will be released at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Regular operations are expected to resume at 5 a.m. on Friday, pending further review of weather conditions, according to a news release.
The university joins two local school districts so far that have closed for Thursday as the effects of a polar vortex bear down on the region.
State College, Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Penns Valley and Philipsburg-Osceola school districts also are closed on Thursday. Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy will be closed and will have virtual classes.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for most of Centre County until noon on Thursday with dangerous wind chills of -15 to -20 expected. The Philipsburg area is under a wind chill warning until 9 a.m. on Friday, with wind chills as low as -30.
AccuWeather is forecasting a RealFeel of -5 degrees during the day on Wednesday and a brutal -32 RealFeel on Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Actual temperatures overnight Wednesday could hit the record low of -9. The cold will remain through the day on Thursday, but with winds diminishing, RealFeel is forecast from -6 to -3.
Being outside during those extreme wind chills can cause frostbite in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. Anyone who does go outside should limit their time, cover exposed skin, dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves.
Wind gusts on Wednesday, especially during snow squalls, could exceed 40 miles per hour.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture urged livestock and pet owners to keep animals protected from exposure. Additionally, under Pennsylvania law, dogs cannot be kept tethered outside for more than 30 minutes when the temperature is below 32 degrees.
