School was dismissed early Thursday in Monongalia and Preston counties in anticipation of a winter storm expected to bring inches of snow to the area.
“Preston and Tucker counties are among the areas that will get it hardest in our forecast area,” said Lee Hendricks, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.
Both Preston and Monongalia counties were under a winter storm warning until 9 a.m. today.
Preston County was expected to get 2 inches of snow by 6 p.m. with a storm total of 4-8 inches, Hendricks said. Slightly less snow was expected in Mon County with a storm total of 4-6 inches. The further north, the less snow was expected.
Overnight temperatures on Thursday were forecasted in the mid-teens, according to Hendricks.
“So whatever may have melted or returned to slush before sunset will turn to ice. So we have that as a potential hazard and we’re only getting into the low 20s (on Friday),” Hendricks said.
Justin Wolfe, assistant director of Preston County E-911/Office of Emergency Management, said this snow event was nothing really out of the ordinary. Despite that, there would likely be some accidents.
“We haven’t really had a good snow yet this year. I mean, we’ve had a little bit so hopefully the people will slow down a little bit and give themselves a little bit more time,” Wolfe said. “Normally the first couple of snows of the year, especially if they’re far and few in between, it takes a while for people to get acclimated to winter driving.”
The wind is expected to gust up to 20 mph today and with the sustained winds it will feel like it’s about 4 degrees outside, Hendricks said.
Historically this winter has been mild. It’s in the top eight least snowy winters as of Thursday, according to Hendricks. Though, this storm will likely move it down a number of spots.
The expected snow prompted a Thursday morning announcement by Preston County Schools that it was releasing students an hour early and starting on a two-hour delay Friday. Maintenance, mechanics and custodians were to report on their regular schedule.
Monongalia County Schools released two hours early and as of 4 p.m., had not announced a delay for Friday.
Both school districts canceled after-school activities on Thursday.
WVU announced Thursday afternoon that normal operations were planned for today. “However, WVU students and employees should call ahead before venturing out to ensure locations and services are open as conditions may change or services may be limited.”
The Aquatic Center at Mylan Park closed early at 3 p.m. and said any delay in opening would be made by 3:30 a.m. and posted on social media.
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