Weather Briefingfor Pennsylvania

January 24-27, 2014Prepared 01/24/14 (1:00 PM EST)

Prepared by:

National Weather ServiceState College, PA

(peter.jung@noaa.gov)

Pennsylvania Weather Overview

• Weather Synopsis:– The Commonwealth remains in the grip of a strong,

arctic pattern• The next several days will feature:

– Reinforcing blasts of cold air, bringing extremely cold temperatures and bitterly cold wind chills

– Fast moving storm systems that will bring generally light accumulations of snow

– The chance for periods of brief but heavy snow squalls accompanying the reinforcing blasts of cold air

– A build up of ice on area rivers and streams

General Weather Patterns(Friday Night and Saturday)

• First system approaches from the west tonight, bringing snow (spreading west-east) tonight and Saturday to the Commonwealth– Generally, 2 to 4 inches expected, with lesser amounts in south-central

and south-east portions of the Commonwealth

• As system pulls away, it will swing a strong cold front across the region Saturday afternoon and evening– This will usher in extremely cold air, bitterly cold wind chills, and the

possibility of brief but heavy squalls across the west that could reduce visibilities.

– Gusty west winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts of 25 to 30 mph in the west

General Weather Patterns(Sunday and Monday)

• A brief break between systems for early Sunday, before the next weather disturbance moves in with limited snow and more cold air– This main system looks like it will track well north of

Pennsylvania, therefore producing limited snow accumulations with mainly snow showers.

– However, yet another reinforcing blast of cold air will be pulled across the region by this system• Expect this strong cold front to sweep across the Commonwealth

late Sunday Night and early Monday

General Weather Patterns(Next Week)

• Overall, cold air will remain entrenched across the region through the week.

• While there may be a few weak disturbances moving through the area from time to time, no significant storms are on the horizon at this point– Monitor NWS forecasts for any changes

Temperatures and Wind Chill Overview

• Saturday– Highs generally in the 20s.

• Saturday Night– Cold air returns, with lows in the single digits to lower teens, and wind chills 0 to -

15

• Sunday– Highs in the teens and 20s

• Sunday Night– Lows in the teens, with wind chills -5 to 10

• Monday– Highs mainly in the teens and 20s, but could break 32 in the southeast. However,

these will be early high temperatures, as the strong cold front sweeps through

• Monday Night through Thursday– Cold, with numerous below zero overnight lows, and single digit to teen highs

Impacts• SNOW

– Snow can cover roads, and make travel hazardous• Drive at reduced speeds, and allow extra time to reach your destination

– Strong winds can cause blowing snow, and reduce visibilities– Strong bursts of snow squalls, especially accompanying a strong front,

can cause brief whiteout conditions, and rapid drops in temperatures• Wet roads can quickly freeze-up• Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions

• COLD / WIND CHILLS– Sub-zero temperatures and wind chills can cause frostbite and

hypothermia• Dress in layers, cover all exposed skin, and limit your time outside if you need to

go out

River Ice• The prolonged cold weather we’ve been experiencing, and the

forecast of extended sub-freezing temperatures for the upcoming week, will allow ice on rivers and streams to continue to form and strengthen during this period.

• Overall, the ice should be stable– With no rainfall, melting snow or runoff, river flows should generally

decrease– That being said, ice jams may occur at any time. They are difficult to

predict. When they occur, significant rises (behind the jam) or drops (below the jam) in water levels may occur

– Ice also affects the river gauge readings, so false stages may be reported• River ice conditions for the Susquehanna and Upper Delaware basins are

supplied by a network of river ice spotters, and can be accessed at: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/ctp/hydro/riverice/index.php

Remember...

• With the prolonged cold, and fast moving weather systems, forecasts will be updated frequently

• Always keep in touch with your local NWS forecast office for the latest Watches, Warnings and Advisories, along with monitoring current conditions

• Monitor the latest forecasts graphically at:– http://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/pennsylvania.php#tabs

Links to local NWS offices that cover Pennsylvania(Get the latest forecasts and updates!)

• NWS Cleveland– weather.gov/cleveland

• NWS Pittsburgh– weather.gov/pittsburgh

• NWS State College– weather.gov/statecollege

• NWS Binghamton– weather.gov/binghamton

• NWS Mount Holly– weather.gov/philadelphia

NWS Wind Chill Advisory Criteria

NWS Wind Chill Warning Criteria

Cold Weather Safety

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.

• Wear a hat, because 40% of your body heat can be lost from your head.

• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.

• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.• Check on the elderly, and don’t forget your pets!

Home/Heating Safety• USE SPACE HEATERS WISELY. ALLOW A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE HOT SURFACES OF THE HEATER AND ANY

OTHER MATERIALS SUCH AS CURTAINS...BEDDING AND CLOTHING.

• NEVER USE THE COOKING OVEN TO HEAT YOUR HOME. MAKE SURE TO KEEP CHIMNEYS SWEPT AND VENT PIPES CLEANED AND FREE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS.

• WHEN USING HEATERS AND FIREPLACES WHICH BURN FUEL LIKE NATURAL GAS...PROPANE...KEROSENE... WOOD OR COAL...A COLORLESS ODORLESS GAS CALLED CARBON MONOXIDE MAY BUILD UP IN YOUR HOME. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING OR EVEN DEATH IS POSSIBLE IF THERE IS NOT ADEQUATE VENTILATION TO ALLOW THIS GAS TO ESCAPE.

• IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN ROOMS WHERE YOU SLEEP OR SPEND LONG HOURS IN THE WINTER. LIKE A SMOKE ALARM...IT CAN SOUND AN ALARM TO LET YOU KNOW IF THIS DANGEROUS GAS IS BUILDING UP TO UNHEALTHY LEVELS.

• WRAP PIPES IN INSULATION WHICH WILL BE EXPOSED TO THE AIR OR IN UNHEATED CRAWL SPACES. YOU MAY ALSO ALLOW FAUCETS TO DRIP...ALLOWING THE WATER TO CONTINUE FLOWING. BOTH OF THESE MEASURES WILL HELP TO PREVENT THE PIPES FROM FREEZING AND BURSTING.

• TAKE CARE IN USING CANDLES DURING ANY POWER OUTAGES. KEEP ALL FLAMMABLE MATERIAL A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE OPEN FLAMES.

• CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS...ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY...AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE AND HEALTHY AS WELL.

Web Links

• Emergency Managers’ Briefing Page:– http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ctp/pema/briefing.php

• PA Snow Accumulation Reports Display– http://www.erh.noaa.gov/hydromet/erEventDisplay.php?

event=stormTotal_12&element=snow&centeron=CTP

• Central Pennsylvania Ice Monitoring Page– http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/ctp/hydro/riverice/index.php

• An interactive graphical display showing the latest forecasts for all of Pennsylvania– http://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/pennsylvania.php#tabs