Pennsylvania wakes to cold air and quiet roads, but the calm won’t last long across central parts of the state.
Temperatures hover near freezing early this morning in the State College area. Skies remain partly sunny at first, allowing Christmas travel to get underway without major weather issues. For now, roads stay dry, and visibility remains good.
That window closes quickly.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for portions of central Pennsylvania, including Centre County, from Friday morning through Saturday morning. Meteorologists are tracking a developing system capable of producing heavy mixed precipitation, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
Forecast guidance shows precipitation beginning Friday morning as snow, then mixing with sleet and freezing rain through the day. Up to two inches of snow and sleet, along with ice accumulations up to one-quarter inch, are possible. Even small ice amounts could make roads slick and increase the risk of power outages.
Travel impacts may be significant. Slippery road conditions could affect Friday morning and evening commutes, along with post-Christmas trips across I-99, U.S. Route 322, and nearby mountain roads. Bridges and untreated surfaces will ice first.
Conditions gradually improve Saturday, though lingering wintry mix remains possible early. Temperatures struggle to rise above the mid-30s, keeping refreeze concerns alive.
Looking ahead, the weather stays unsettled. Rain develops Sunday, followed by another temperature drop Sunday night. By Monday, rain may change back to snow, signaling a colder, more wintry pattern as December closes.
Meteorologists note this system fits a broader winter trend across the Northeast, where mixed precipitation and snow are becoming more common.
Plan ahead now. Consider adjusting travel plans, allow extra time Friday, and prepare for rapidly changing Winter Weather conditions. Christmas may be calm, but winter is lining up right behind it.
