The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for the area that will last until 7 a.m. Thursday morning, courtesy of a storm that is expected to bring a wintry mix to the area will hit later this afternoon.
This winter storm comes on the heels of a snowfall Christmas Eve night of approximately one inch. That snow gave the area its first "white Christmas" in several years.
The NWS, which is based in State College, changed its alert for the latest weather event from a winter storm watch to a warning at approximately 2:10 p.m. Tuesday. The forecast is for 3 to 6 inches of precipitation, which could make travel dicey Wednesday evening.
"It's going to be messy," said forecaster Rob Radzinowski.
Radzinowski said the show is expected to start by mid-to-late morning and will move into the area very quickly.
"It's going to be snow to start, probably dropping from 3 to 6 inches into the afternoon hours," he said.
In the early evening, an influx of warmer air is expected to turn the snow into a wintry mix. Some sleet, followed by freezing rain, will accumulate through the night.
The warning is set to expire at 7 a.m. Thursday, but Radzinowski said the storm should wind down a few hours before that.
"As people start waking up, there is going to be a mess to clean up," he said.
The NWS said the storm will make for hazardous travel due to ice- and snow-covered roads. Isolated power outages are possible due to ice buildup on power lines and trees.
"It will be tough for street crews to keep up with the accumulation during the snowfall," Radzinowski said. "They may be able to do so overnight, but the sleet and freezing rain afterwards could provide some trouble."
The weather service advised people who are traveling to take alternate routes, whenever possible, to avoid the storm. If travel is unavoidable, drivers should use extreme caution and carry extra supplies, such as blankets, food and a cell phone in case they become stranded.
This winter storm comes on the heels of a snowfall Christmas Eve night of approximately one inch. That snow gave the area its first "white Christmas" in several years.