Forecasters Predicting ‘Blockbuster’ Snow Storm

JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – Forecasters are calling the upcoming snow storm a “blockbuster” as it approaches our region.

(PHOTO: A winter storm in Pennsylvania in 2014. AP Photo/Chris Post.)

According to the National Weather Service, it should remain cloudy overnight Friday, with a low around 24 degrees.

The storm is expected to strike on Saturday beginning around 11:00 a.m.

According to Shannon Hefferan, of the National Weather Service of Pittsburgh, our area “may start to see snow by mid-morning on Saturday.”

“That will keep going until the storm moves out late Sunday into early Monday morning,” Hefferan said.

“Right now, in terms of totals in the area of Interstate 80, 12 to 15 inches of snow is what we’re looking like. That area is more likely to get snow than anything else.”

Hefferan noted that while questions remain about how much snow, as opposed to mixed rain, freezing rain, and sleet, Jefferson County is more likely to see heavy snowfall without much, if any, wintery mix.

AccuWeather forecasters are predicting the storm “will be a blockbuster in terms of impact and dangerous conditions.”

Paul Walker, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, noted that some of the southern areas of the county might see sleet mixed in with the snow, and only tally up 6 to 12 inches of snow, but areas to the north of Interstate 80 will likely see higher snowfall totals.

Walker noted that wind will also be a factor in the storm.

“This storm will get windy, so we’re looking at blowing and drifting snow, with travel becoming difficult and possibly dangerous due to low visibility,” Walker said.

According to Hefferan, the period of the heaviest snowfall should come late Saturday, heading into Sunday.

“For a six-hour period that night, we’re expecting about five inches in six hours, which is almost an inch per hour. That’s where that most intense period is, before the storm fizzles out,” Hefferan said.

While the storm should taper into snow flurries on Sunday, a serious cold blast is still expected to follow the storm. The temperature Sunday is expected to drop down to around zero, and that frigid weather will continue through Monday.

There is a slight chance of continued snow Sunday morning, mainly before 8:00 a.m., as the cold front begins to move in.

“The high for Monday is looking like it will be around 10 degrees, and the low will be around zero. That cold air will be sinking in, and anything untreated will freeze. With wind chills that may drop down as far as -15, there might be a wind chill watch or warning put into effect,” Hefferan said.

Sunday night will be mostly cloudy, with the temperature diving down to a low of -2.

The skies are expected to clear and give in to a mostly sunny day on Monday, with a high for the day topping out around 8 degrees. Monday night should be partly cloudy, with the temperature overnight dropping back down to -3.

Tuesday is expected to be partly sunny, with a chance of snow showers after 3:00 p.m. and a high warming back up around 28 degrees. Snow showers are more likely overnight Tuesday night, mostly before 4:00 a.m., then rain and snow showers likely through Wednesday morning.

Rain and snow showers continue to be likely throughout the day Wednesday, with the temperature warming back up to a high of around 38 degrees.


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