SHAMOKIN - The new work week began in much the same way the old one ended - with a winter storm and a treacherous commute.
And while Monday's weather represented the norm for Pennsylvania winters, Wednesday will be anything but normal. A high temperature nearing 60 is expected.
Snow began falling in the western portion of Northumberland County around 5 a.m. Monday and moved east over the next hour. Roads were snow-covered for much of the morning commute while the snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain.
Because of the mixture, the accumulation of snow was minimal.
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Tony Mach said Northumberland County saw approximately an inch of accumulation before it turned to rain and freezing rain.
Still, schools throughout the area canceled for the day, particularly in fear of icy conditions.
Friday, when about 2 inches of snow fell starting in the afternoon and into the evening, most schools dismissed early, and the evening commute was slow-going.
Monday's storm was the eighth since Dec. 24 in which at least a dusting of snow fell on the region, but none of them has produced any significant snow totals. The season's biggest storm dropped 3 to 5 inches on Dec. 29.
Mach said this morning will be cloudy with patches of fog and a 40 percent chance of rain. The high temperatures for the day will be in the mid 40s.
Later tonight, it's expected to be cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. There will be areas of drizzle and fog after midnight and low temperature in the low 40s, Mach said.
Wednesday is expected to be upper 50s with rain showers expected for most of the day, he said.
The temperatures will only fall into the lower 50s during the afternoon, with rain showers following that night, he said.
Route 42 crashes
PennDOT issued an advisory at 3:50 p.m. Monday saying Route 42 northbound between Aristes and Numidia in Columbia County was closed due to "multiple crashes." It is believed there were icy conditions on the highway as temperatures remained near freezing.
Northbound traffic was detoured onto Ringtown Road, Ringtown Mountain Road and Mountain Road, and the detour was lifted at 6 p.m. Southbound Route 42 traffic was not affected.