A wintry mix of snow and rain will settle in Schuylkill County on Thursday and Friday as colder air enters the Northeast.
Authorities urge people to use caution as the region receives what could be its first accumulating snowfall of the season. In Schuylkill County, new snowfall measurements of less than half an inch are forecast for each day of the snowstorm, according to the National Weather Service.
While there will be snowier conditions at higher elevations in northern Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County residents should be prepared for a “slushy accumulation” from Thursday afternoon into midday Friday, said Greg DeVoir, a meteorologist with the weather service.
“With these early-season snowfalls, people often don’t have the right tools or equipment on their cars,” DeVoir said.
DeVoir recommends people avoid driving in the slush whenever possible. He said that those traveling through Interstate 84 in northeastern Pennsylvania will likely encounter heavier snow.
Temperatures in Schuylkill County will drop to about 31 degrees Thursday night with the onset of the rain and snow.
A winter storm watch is in effect for the county from 4 p.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday.
The National Weather Service projects a 90% chance of precipitation that will continue through Friday, with temperatures hovering at 40 degrees midday.
To stave off the threat of sleet and freezing rain, customers at Hadesty’s Hardware in Pottsville have been stocking up on ice melt over the past two days, according to store manager Jolene Renninger.
The store is fully stocked for the winter season and has other crucial supplies on hand, like gloves and shovels, she said.
Renninger recommends people pretreat their sidewalks with ice melt, rather than wait until after the rain freezes over.
Originally Published: November 20, 2024 at 4:14 PM EST
