Some Schools Close as Extreme Cold Moves in to the Area

Several local school districts announced closings for Wednesday — and one is closed through Thursday — as a polar vortex brings dangerously cold temperatures to much of the northern United States, including central Pennsylvania. 

Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte Area and Philipsburg-Osceola schools will be closed on Wednesday. Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy is closed and students will have a Virtual Day of classes. Philipsburg-Osceola announced it also will be closed on Thursday. 

As of 9 p.m. on Tuesday, State College Area and Penns Valley Area school districts and Penn State had not made an announcement about classes on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for southern Centre County — including the State College, Bellefonte and Penns Valley areas — and a wind chill warning for the northwestern part of the county, including the Philipsburg area.

The advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. on Wednesday through noon on Thursday. Actual temperatures will struggle to get out of the single digits both days, with lows dipping from -1 to -5. 

But the wind will make it especially dangerous. AccuWeather is forecasting a RealFeel of -5 degrees during the day on Wednesday and a brutal -32 RealFeel on Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The chill will remain through the day on Thursday, but with winds diminishing, RealFeel is forecast from -3 to -1.

NWS, meanwhile, forecasts wind chills as low as -20.

Those wind chills can be dangerous for those venturing outside, with the possibility of frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. 

Anyone who does go outside should limit their time, cover exposed skin, dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. 

The area also may see snow squalls on Wednesday with accumulations around 1 inch.

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.