Lebanon County braces for snow fall ‘with a vengeance’ (Updated)

What began as rumblings of a major winter weather event last week crescendoed these past few days into an unmissable drum beat: The Big One is Coming.

The National Weather Service in State College issued a pair of messages early Friday morning warning that frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills are headed to the region, with Arctic air expected to bring -10F to -20F wind chills across all of central PA Friday afternoon into early Sunday morning.

And then – the snow. Lots of it.

Federal forecasters say that “snow accumulations will likely begin with a vengeance from south to north in the predawn hours Sunday.”

For a hyperlocal look at the storm, stay tuned to Lebanon County Weather, which will be publishing its first call Friday afternoon.

For now, we can say that periods of snowfall rates greater than 1 inch per hour are becoming increasingly likely, according to the forecast, with the snow expected to be dry and fluffy and prodigiously blowable with gusts in the 15-30 mph range.

Forecasts are uncertain when the snow will stop. NWS says that there could be a period of sleet Sunday evening, or there could be a dry slot, or a secondary accumulation of several inches.

It’s the most significant accumulation prediction from NWS for central PA in more than five years. They say the probability of snowfall amounts exceeding 12 inches is 60% to 80% for much of central PA; 15% to 40% for more than 18 inches; and 10% for 24 inches. Right now, NWS predicts 11 inches for Lebanon.

Don’t expect relief next week either. Frigid temperatures will continue through the end of January, with below-zero windchills expected. NWS says that it expects more infrastructure impacts like frozen pipes to crop up.

Jonestown Borough has already declared a snow emergency starting Saturday evening. More municipalities are expected to follow today. A Code Blue is in effect through Jan. 30.

Update 7 a.m. – Annville Township has also declared a snow emergency starting this weekend.

Update 11 a.m. – Myerstown Borough issued its own snow emergency declaration.

Update 2 p.m. – The City of Lebanon and West Lebanon Township have both issued snow emergency declarations for this weekend.

Update 3 p.m. – Lebanon Transit officials announced they are cancelling all service for the following routes on Monday, January 26:

• Route 10 (Route 10C is yet to be determined)
• Route 88
• Commute King Express Harrisburg A
• Commute King Express Harrisburg B

Update 5 p.m. – As announced by the Lebanon County Regional Police Department, North Lebanon and North Cornwall townships have declared a snow emergency starting at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday ahead of the impending snow storm. During the snow emergency, parking is prohibited along snow emergency routes in each of the municipalities.

Update 7 p.m. – Richland Borough has also declared a snow emergency starting at 8 a.m. Saturday. All vehicles must be removed from snow emergency routes.

Update Saturday 11 a.m. – County offices will be closed on Monday. Jury trials scheduled for the week of January 26 will be rescheduled.

Update Sunday 12 p.m. – Lebanon City Hall will be closed on Monday.