Schools dismissing early because of snow forecast

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

Up to 2 inches of snow is expected with winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

The following schools have announced early dismissals:

• Tamaqua Area School District: high school at 10:30 a.m.; elementary at 11:30 a.m.

• Lehighton Area School District: high school at 11:20 a.m., middle school at 11:25 a.m., elementary at noon.

• Pleasant Valley School District: high school at 10 a.m., middle school at 10:15 a.m., intermediate and elementary at 11 a.m., all afterschool activities canceled.

• St. Jerome Regional School: No afternoon ECP; early dismissal as follows: Weatherly students, 10 a.m.; Jim Thorpe, 10:40 a.m.; Tamaqua, 10:45 a.m.; Mahanoy Area and Panther Valley, 11 a.m. Parent pickup 11 a.m. after the buses. No lunch. All evening activities canceled.

• Jim Thorpe Area School District, high school at 10:30 a.m., L.B. Morris and Penn-Kidder campus, 11:30 a.m.

• Palmerton, early dismissal for secondary at noon and elementary at 12:30 p.m.

We’ll update as more details are announced.

Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.

Impacts from blowing snow, including reduced visibility and slippery road conditions could linger for several hours after the snow has stopped falling.

Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

The latest forecast:

Tonight: Rain, mainly before 4 a.m., then showers after 4 a.m. Low around 36. East wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Today: Rain showers before 1 p.m., then rain and snow showers likely between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., then a chance of snow showers after 3 p.m. Areas of blowing snow after 3 p.m. Areas of fog before 7 a.m. Temperature rising to near 43 by 11 a.m., then falling to around 32 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with an east wind 6 to 11 mph becoming west 20 to 25 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35. West wind 7 to 14 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday: A slight chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all rain after 10 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night: A chance of rain showers before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 50%.