We could have run more images of snow and ice, but figured our readers (and us, for that matter) would better enjoy a reminder of warmer climates. And forecasters do say it will be warming up next week.
As Chester County digs out — although a small snow event is likely for Saturday — it appears that the cycle of arctic weather may finally have broken, as forecasters expect a warming trend next week, with temperatures expected to reach the 50s, according to the National Weather Service.
On average, more than a foot of snow — and in some locales, 16 or more inches were reported by Friday morning — left roads icy, schools and businesses closed and local residents hammered by the worst winter weather in decades.
On the good news front: power outages from this storm were kept to a minimum. As of Friday morning, PECO is reporting just 516 sites without power.
Roads all over the county remain slick in places, as the snow froze on top of wet slush, coating areas with ice. The ongoing shortage of road salt is also hampering efforts to clear roads in the county. Warming temperatures this afternoon should help to melt some of the snow and ice, but motorists should expect refreezing in the overnight period, including areas of black ice.
Snow is expected to move in during the early morning hours on Saturday, with light snow expected to continue through early afternoon, NWS forecasts say. After a brief burst of arctic air on Sunday, local residents can expect a warming trend Monday, as temperatures climb into the 30s, and into the 40s on Tuesday. The combination of rain and warmer temperatures next weekend could lead to another concern: flooding along creeks as snow melts.
In a number of areas, where to put the snow is becoming a challenge, as multi-foot-high snow banks dot the region.
Still, some managed to find humor in the situation. Principals and administrators in the Downingtown Area School District put together an impressive music video lamenting the weather, in a fun, humorous way.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/ee2aSVzJvvY[/youtube]
