Winter Storm

Monday February 15th - Tuesday February 16th 2016

Weather Briefing
State College, PA

Operational Period:
Monday 2-15-16, 1200 - Tuesday 2-16-16, 1600
Forecast Discussion:
As an area of high pressure slides off to the east, a storm system will track over eastern
Pennsylvania, bringing an assortment of precipitation to State College. Precipitation type will
predominantly start off as snow, but a southerly flow associated with high pressure to the east
will usher in warmer air both aloft and at the surface. The cold air aloft will be the first to leave
the State College area, introducing sleet and freezing rain precipitation types by the late evening
on Monday. The surface will then subsequently warm, and allow for the precipitation type to
change to all rain early Tuesday morning. The rain will be moderate to heavy at times on
Tuesday, before tapering off by the afternoon hours, ushering in some colder air once again.

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Hazardous Weather:
Hazards associated with a strong winter storm will exist in Central Pennsylvania. Accumulating
snow will move into the area during the day on Monday, bringing a few inches of snow to the
region. The snow will turn to freezing rain at some point on Monday night, and ice accumulation
poses a significant danger. Ice buildup makes driving and walking conditions dangerous,
especially on untreated surfaces. Significant icing could cause power outages in some areas
with above ground powerlines, and could cause branches to fall off trees.

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Facts:
Light snow will move into central Pennsylvania Monday afternoon and evening.
Snow will turn over to freezing rain Monday night..
Temperatures will be below freezing much of Monday night.
Temperatures will continue to warm Tuesday morning and freezing rain will turn to just plain
rain.
Rain will continue for much of Tuesday morning before diminishing Tuesday afternoon
Ice accretion will lead to dangerous travel Monday night and early into Tuesday morning.
Temperatures will fall below freezing again Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, leading to
refreezing of the surface and continued dangerous travel conditions.

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Uncertainties:
The exact track of the storm is uncertain, which means the exact impacts in State College may
change from this forecast. If the storm moves more southeast, less rain and more snow or
freezing rain will occur. However, if the storm moves more northwest, less snow and ice are

expected. Additionally, it is unclear exactly how much warming will occur at the surface Monday
night and Tuesday given the cold air and snowpack currently in place. If the surface stays
colder, more rain will freeze at the surface and icing will become a much greater concern.

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Recommendations:
Pretreat roadways and sidewalks to mitigate snow and ice accumulation and continue to plow
and salt throughout the storm. Monitor conditions throughout the night, particularly ice buildup.
Be prepared for a potential delay if ice buildup makes travel hazardous Tuesday Morning. Stay
up to date with all the latest information from The Campus Weather Service.

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State College:
Forecast Time

Temperature

Weather

Wind

Monday
2/15/16

13 26

Cloudy
PM Light Snow

SE 5-10 mph

Monday Night
2/15/16

26 34

Light Snow to
Freezing Rain then
Rain

SE 5-10 mph

Tuesday
2/16/16

38 31

AM Rain to PM
Snow Showers

W 5-10 mph

Contact Information:
The Penn State Emergency Management Clubs Student Meteorologists
ClubEM@psu.edu
President:
Michael Spagnolo Spagz@psu.edu (804) 814-9109
Forecasters:
Brian Mastro mastro@psu.edu, Steve Hallett hallett@psu.edu,
Paul Mykolajtchuk pum165@psu.edu Robert Prestley rwp150@psu.edu
Michael Priante mjp5600@psu.edu Alex Tomoff amt5622@psu.edu