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Early start: Snow surprise covered green foliage
Published: October 16, 2009
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Larry Deklinski/Staff Photos A motorist drives south on Route 125 near Burnside, south of Shamokin in Coal Township, during a sloppy Thursday commute.
An early season snowfall Thursday covered fall foliage and added white caps to autumn decorations in eastern Northumberland County Thursday.
But that's nothing compared to what the Northern Tier might get before this pre-Halloween winter scare is over.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) said the storm could bring up to 12 inches of snow across higher elevations by Saturday morning.
A coating to an inch or more was reported in parts of Northumberland and Schuylkill counties Thursday from the storm, which started as rain but changed to snow showers and then a heavier snow by late afternoon.
NWS said the mere three-tenths of an inch that fell in State College was enough to top the record of one-tenth of an inch set Oct. 18, 1901.
"The National Weather Service has issued several winter storm advisories, watches and warnings," said PEMA Director
Robert P. French. "As a result, PEMA has reached out to other state and local agencies to make sure that we're ready to respond to keep citizens safe."
French said several inches of wet, heavy snow bring the threat of downed trees and power lines, which could interrupt the power supply to homes and businesses and block roadways.
Citizens are urged to monitor the storm and avoid travel if conditions warrant staying off the roads. If travel
is necessary, drivers can get up-to-date roadway conditions by calling 511 or visiting www.511PA.com, which provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 440 traffic cameras for free, 24 hours a day.
Starting in November, 511 will provide simple to use, color-coded winter road conditions for all interstates and other routes covered in the 511 reporting network.
Emergency-management officials urge residents to take the following precautions when outside driving or shoveling snow:
- Make sure tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that vehicles be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs to drive on their roads.
- Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal.
- Winter car kit, which could include: flashlights with extra batteries, first aid kit with pocket knife, necessary medications, several blankets, matches, extra set of mittens, socks, and a wool cap, small shovel, small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver), brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
- Keep a full tank of gas during the winter season.
- Travel during daylight and don't travel alone.
- Make sure someone knows your arrival times and routes.
- Store a supply of high-energy snacks and several bottles of water.
On the Net: www.ReadyPA.orgSnow surprise covered green foliage
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