State College, Pennsylvania – Central Pennsylvania is bracing for a prolonged stretch of winter weather, with light snow affecting travel early Thursday followed by a potentially high-impact winter storm expected to arrive late Saturday and linger into Monday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in State College, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Thursday morning for parts of north-central and central Pennsylvania, where up to an additional inch of snow and gusty winds could create slick conditions for the morning commute. Winds gusting between 30 and 40 mph, with isolated higher gusts, may briefly reduce visibility during heavier snow showers.
Attention then shifts to a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Saturday evening through Monday afternoon for a wide swath of central Pennsylvania. Counties including Centre, Clearfield, Blair, Cambria, Somerset, Lycoming, Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, and Schuylkill are all included. Significant snow accumulations are possible, with snow expected to overspread the region Saturday night and continue through Sunday. In southern areas, snow may mix with sleet at times on Sunday and Sunday night.
Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, could become slick and hazardous late Saturday night into Monday morning, impacting travel across Interstates 80, 81, 83, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Residents are urged to complete preparations early, limit non-essential travel, and monitor updates as watches may be upgraded and hazardous conditions could persist into early next week.
