Snow could make morning commute a little tricky
The mild December ended abruptly with a blast of cold air Monday. The cold will continue through the week, with snow falling for today’s morning commute, said meteorologists.
“I suspect the morning commute will be a tricky one,” said Accuweather senior meteorologist Tom Kines.
He said one to three inches of snow will accumulate, beginning Monday night, with an inch or two on the ground Tuesday morning.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation director of quality Steve Marsinko said he could not predict the impact of snow on rush hour traffic, but crews were prepared for snow removal.
“Our crews will be out,” he said. “Of course, we tell everyone to plan some extra time, and take their time.”
He said in the southwest corner of the state, the storm will be a fast-moving clipper.
“It’s one of those things where we’re waiting to see how the storm develops,” he said.
The storm is following a December with one of the lowest recorded snowfalls in history, said National Weather Service meteorologist Lee Hendricks.
While 3.1 inches of snowfall was measured in November, the region had only two-tenths of an inch in December.
“In 1889, we had absolutely none,” he said.
He said in 1928, 1931, 1941 and 1994 the region had trace amounts of snowfall.
Kines said the snow will be of less concern than the cold.
“That’s probably the big thing,” he said. “It’s not just the cold, either. There’s going to be a wind blowing.”
He said temperatures will be in the teens Monday night and the low 20s Tuesday with 15 to 25 mph winds, making the temperatures feel 15 to 20 degrees colder.
Temperatures are expected to stay in the teens Wednesday, with winds 20 to 30 mph.
“Wednesday just looks like a really rotten day,” he said.
There is one positive aspect to the cold weather.
“With it being so cold, it will be a dry, fluffy snow,” he said. “It will be easy to push around for those who have to shovel it.”