Forecasters with the National Weather Service (NWS) are calling for between 6 to 8 inches of snow in parts of central Pennsylvania this Sunday after unusually warm temperatures cover the region Saturday.

High temperatures in Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Chambersburg and the surrounding areas are expected to be in the low to mid-40s Saturday, before dropping below freezing in the evening, bringing a possibility of rain and snow to the region.

Several counties — including Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Perry, Lebanon, Adams, York and Lancaster — are under a winter storm watch from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, the NWS said.

Harrisburg’s snow should start after 10 a.m. Sunday, with accumulations up to 8 inches possible. Winds will also be gusting up to 20 miles per hour Sunday.

The NWS said Harrisburg, York and Lancaster will receive between 6 and 8 inches of snow Sunday, while municipalities further west and north — including Chambersburg, Mifflintown and Selinsgrove — should see between 4 and 6 inches.

Forecasters also predicted this weekend’s snowstorm to be “quick-hitting” and “potentially significant” with dangerously cold temperatures and sub-zero wind chills in the following days.

“We expect cold weather this time of year in Pennsylvania, but the extreme cold and windchills that we’re going to see next week mean we all need to make sure that our families and homes are ready for it,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “PEMA will be working with county partners to make sure they have the resources they need to keep people safe throughout this cold snap.”

According to the National Weather Service, January 2018 is the last time Pennsylvania experienced an extended period of frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills.

Parts of north-central Pennsylvania are not expected to be hit quite as hard, with cities like Warren, Bradford, Coudersport, Emporium and Wellsboro forecast to receive between 1 and 2 inches of snow by 7 p.m. Sunday.

By Monday, forecasters are calling for frigid temperatures and severe wind chills throughout central Pennsylvania. Harrisburg’s high temperatures for Monday and Tuesday are 19 and 17 respectively, while conditions plummet to around 1 degree both nights.

Governor Josh Shapiro’s office released a statement Friday urging Pennsylvanians to prepare for the winter weather and frequently check forecasts ahead of the storm. The statement also included tips for recognizing cold-related health concerns:

• Hypothermia causes shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness in adults and bright red, cold skin and very low energy in babies.
• Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas, and symptoms include a white or grayish-yellow area of skin, numbness or skin that feels unusually firm or waxy.

Staying indoors is the easiest way to avoid cold-related health issues, but if you must go outside consider the following:

• Make outdoor trips brief and dress warm in layers
• Cover your ears, head, mouth and face
• Never ignore shivering – it’s your body’s way of saying you’re losing heat and it’s time to warm back up

Older adults often make less body heat than younger people due to slower metabolisms and less physical activity. Anyone over 65 is recommended to regularly check the temperature in their homes during this weekend and next week.

PennDOT wants to remind Pennsylvanians that driving during winter weather can be dangerous. If you do hit the road, it is important to prepare beforehand.

Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas, safe tires, a full reservoir of windshield wiper fluid and working windshield wipers. PennDOT also recommends having food, water, warm clothing/blankets and any other necessary items — such as medications or baby/pet supplies — in your vehicle if you choose to travel.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and UGI Utilities issued statements with tips and tricks ahead of the winter storm, which is expected to drive up demand for electricity and natural gas.

The PUC included the following advice:

• Adjust your thermostat – Lowering the thermostat a few degrees, especially during times you are away or asleep, can significantly reduce energy consumption
• Seal leaks and drafts – Use weather stripping, caulk, or door sweeps to block cold drafts and keep warm air indoors
• Use natural sunlight – Open curtains and blinds on sunny days to let in warmth and close them at night to retain heat
• Bundle up indoors – Dress in layers and use extra blankets to stay warm without turning up the heat excessively
• Maintain heating systems – Change furnace filters regularly and schedule maintenance if possible, ensuring systems run efficiently
• Unplug and power down – Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use to conserve electricity

Additional tips from UGI include never using a gas-powered range or oven to heat a home, clearing snow and ice from meters and vents by hand or with a broom, allowing faucets to drip slightly to prevent freezing and opening cabinet doors to warm exposed pipes.

Anyone using portable heaters should follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions, including plugging the heater directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip.

The current brief reprieve from winter’s chill will not last, as a widespread snowstorm followed by extreme cold are likely. Winter Storm Watches have been issued for parts of Central and Eastern PA ahead of Sunday’s snowstorm. In addition, an Extreme Cold Watch has been issued in other areas ahead of wind chills as low as 30 below zero next week.

We will have more details on Sunday regarding this life-threatening cold that will close schools for parts of next week. That may sound drastic, but temperatures near or below zero combined with gusty winds will cause frostbite in 15-25 minutes of skin exposure. And having a snowpack will only make temperatures drop further.

Winter Storm Timing

Light to moderate snow will move into Southern Pennsylvania before lunchtime Sunday as the low pressure system begins to form in Southern Virginia. Precipitation will then increase in intensity as the system strengthens while moving northeast.

Moderate to locally heavy snow will break out between I-81 and I-95, encompassing nearly all densely-populated areas in the eastern half of PA. Light snow will be thrown northwest, in places like the Laurel Highlands to the Endless Mountains.

Snow ratios (usually 10″ of snow for every 1″ of liquid) will be around 15:1 in areas NW of I-95, and approach 20:1 across the interior mountains.

This will not be a long storm, which limits the maximum amount of snow. We expect snow to exit the areas from southwest to northeast Sunday evening, and even earlier in Western PA. This is simply not a Western PA event, as it’s a coastal storm.

Area A: Snowfall accumulation of 5 – 9″ expected. Roads will quickly become snow-covered, making travel very difficult and inadvisable.

Area B: Snowfall accumulation of 3 – 5″ anticipated. Snow will rapidly cover roadways, leading to slippery driving conditions.

Area C: Snowfall accumulation of 1 – 3″ expected. Secondary roads are likely to become slick as snow covers them.

Don’t forget to share this forecast with friends and family!