CLARION CO., Pa. (EYT) — A widespread storm that could dump a foot or more of snow in Clarion County and surrounding areas is expected to hit today.
(PHOTO: A plow clears snow from a roadway in 2019. AP Photo/Orlin Wagner.)
According to Jared Rackley, of the National Weather Service Pittsburgh, while early forecasts called for the first of the storm to strike later in the day today, it currently appears that the snow will start flying a bit earlier.
“It looks like there’s a chance of flurries before sunrise, and we’ll probably see the bulk of the storm hit in the late morning to early afternoon,” Rackley said.
According to AccuWeather meteorologist John Gresiak, the storm will start in the northwest and spread to the southeast, picking up momentum through the afternoon.
“Areas south of Interstate 80 are looking at 6 to 12 inches, but farther north you’re looking at 12 to 18 inches, possibly as much as 20 in some isolated areas,” Gresiak said.
Gresiak noted that there may still be some mixing of sleet and freezing rain overnight in the areas to the south of Interstate 80, which is what could keep those areas from getting as much snow accumulation as areas farther to the north.
According to the National Weather Service, today’s high is expected to top out at around 27 degrees, with an east wind around 6 to 10 miles per hour.
Overnight on Saturday, the low should drop down to around 15 degrees, with the wind picking up to 10 to 13 miles per hour overnight.
The storm is expected to taper off on Sunday, with a few snow showers lingering throughout the day.
“We’re looking at a lot of wind causing blowing and drifting snow across the area on Sunday,” Gresiak noted. “The areas that get the sleet and freezing rain won’t get the drifting snow as much.”
While the bulk of the storm will end on Sunday, the temperature is set to make a steady decline throughout the day.
“By Sunday morning, the temperature will drop down into the teens, and by Sunday evening, it will be down in the single digits,” Gresiak said.
With the wind picking up Sunday and into Monday, and the temperature set to dive down around zero, dangerous wind chills remain a strong possibility.
“If you’re going to be outside, dress adequately, cover all exposed skin, wear a hat and gloves. Just use caution and try to spend relatively minimal time outside. It’s going to be really nasty, cold, and windy.”
According to the National Weather Service, the low overnight Monday night into Tuesday may drop as low as -3, but the weather should improve Tuesday, with partly sunny skies and a high near 31 degrees.
