by Suzanne Elliott and Ben Conley
The Morgantown area received one-to-two inches of snow Wednesday, with more expected possibly by late Sunday night, putting the region’s accumulation well ahead of last year’s total.
Bob Smerbeck, a meteorologist with AccuWeather in State College, Pa., said the area has received roughly 24 inches of snow so far this winter, almost double last year’s amount of 12.4 inches through Jan. 20, 2020. Terra Alta in Preston County had four inches of snow, while just north in Point Marion, Pa., there was two inches of snow fall.
“The Morgantown area averages 30 inches of snow and we still have a ways to go,” Smerbeck said.
The snowfall, which began before daybreak Wednesday, made for a busy morning for local emergency responders.
Jimmy Smith, director of MECCA 911 in Morgantown, said there were 23 vehicle accidents by noon Wednesday, with the majority taking place downtown, as well as University Avenue and Van Voorhis Road. There were also 19 motorist assists, he said.
“Mostly cars being stuck in the snow,” said Smith, adding there was one minor injury – a wrist – from an accident at West Run and Van Voorhis roads. “It was before the roads had been treated,” said Smith, who said it was also particularly bad on Interstate 68 and Mon Boulevard. “Mon Boulevard was almost a parking lot,” he said.
Morgantown’s Public Works has seven employees out with COVID-19 and four vacancies that should be filled by the end of the month,” said Andrew Stacy, the city’s director of communications. The department did have six snow and salt plows operating since 11 p.m. Tuesday.
“There was a combination of things that impacted snow removal on both Monday and (Wednesday) morning – fast unexpected snow fall, assisting emergency response to vehicle accidents and a manpower/staffing challenge,” Stacy said in an email. “Crews had a hard time getting to work and then getting to certain areas because of the wrecks.”
Smerbeck said temperatures should reach a high of 33 degrees Friday with a low of 20. It will not rise above 29 degrees Saturday. Rain and snow showers are predicted for Monday with a high of 40 degrees.
