Ice causes aggravation after snowstorm

Though several inches of snow fell, the freezing rain that followed Tuesday’s storm was the bigger issue.

This morning, area residents could be seen chipping away at their ice-covered cars.

The storm resulted in two more days off from school for area students, such as Yossaf Garcia of Lehighton.

Yossaf could be seen playing outside his home on South Seventh Street with his sister, Maya, 3; father, Jason; and dog, Hazel.

“Every time it snows, we all like to go outside and have activity,” Yossaf, 11, said.

“It’s a pleasant surprise, after all, here’s my sister, and I always play with her when it’s snowing, which is a once-in-a-while thing, which is about to end, and you should always take the opportunity for this type of thing.”

Schools remained closed today as a result of the storm.

Most areas received the anticipated snowfall, according to Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather.

“As far as snow amounts, looks like 3-4 inches across the area, pretty much which was expected,” Kines said. “Then it changed over to sleet and freezing rain.”

He said today temperatures were expected to get above freezing, but it’s going to get windy as the day progresses, which will make it feel like closer to 20 degrees.

Kines said the wind should settle down tonight, with temperatures dropping down below freezing.

“If there’s any slush leftover, it’s going to be freezing, so if you’ve got snow in your driveway, it’s best to move it now because it is going to freeze up,” he said.

Motorists should also proceed with caution during their travels, Kines said.

“The roads that have been salted should be fine; I suspect there’s some back roads that are still slick,” he said. “Conditions will improve as the day wears on.”

Kines said he “wouldn’t totally be shocked if there’s a snow shower at some point today.

“But don’t get concerned,” he said. “It won’t last long and won’t amount to anything.”

Kines said temperatures should make it up to the lower 40s on Thursday, and then be followed by a couple of showers either late Thursday night or on Friday.

He said Friday is expected to be a very mild day, as temperatures are expected to make a run at the 50s.

Kines said it will be colder over the weekend, with temperatures above freezing, though it’s not out of the question that we could see a period of snow late in the weekend, possibly Sunday afternoon.

“I think the big thing is if you’ve got snow to move, move it today,” he said. “Colder temperatures tonight are going to make it that much more difficult.”

It’s these types of nuisance storms that can take a toll on municipalities’ budgets.

Lehighton borough Manager Nicole Beckett said that to date, the borough has only used about 25 percent for materials and supplies for winter maintenance items such as salt and anti-skid.

“We’re not at a point where we’re concerned,” Beckett said. “We’re on target.”