Winter Storm Drops Up to 20 Inches Across Catskills and Northeast Pennsylvania, Bitter Cold Ahead

A powerful winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow across the Catskills and northeast Pennsylvania, disrupting travel and daily life throughout the region.The system delivered widespread snowfall totals of at least 12 inches, with some communities seeing significantly more.“We saw a widespread snowfall across the region of at least 12 inches,” said Ben Watts, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Binghamton. “There were some higher totals in the Catskills of 15 to even 17 inches of snow. In parts of Pike and Wayne counties, we even saw totals as high as 20 inches.”Watts said the storm largely performed as forecasters expected.“Results generally fell within the forecasted range,” he said. “For most of the region we were looking at 12 to 18 inches, possibly higher amounts in the Catskills. This was pretty much what we were anticipating.”Travel concerns lingerWhile the heaviest snowfall has ended, slick conditions remain a concern.Road crews have treated many main highways, but patchy black ice is likely, especially on secondary or untreated roads.“Anyone out on the roads, just take it easy,” Watts said. “Be prepared for maybe some patchy black ice, just in case.”Officials are urging drivers to slow down and allow extra travel time.Heavy snow, but limited structural riskDespite the storm’s high totals, Watts said the dense, compacted snow shouldn’t pose widespread structural issues.Based on what forecasters observed, he does not expect serious roof damage from this system.However, clearing snow can still be physically demanding.“It is a pretty dense snow now that it’s settled, so it’s going to feel a little heavy when shoveling,” Watts said. “Take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and don’t overexert yourself.”Next threat: Arctic coldForecasters are now shifting their focus from snow to extreme cold.It’s too early to say whether another storm system could arrive this weekend, but temperatures will remain well below normal all week.“We are looking at a very cold week ahead,” Watts said. “Highs are only going to be in the teens and lows will be in the single digits or even below zero later in the week. That’s going to result in wind chills well below zero each night and morning.”The National Weather Service warns that wind chills could dip into the negative single digits tonight, with another Arctic blast expected Thursday through Saturday.Residents are advised to:Dress in layersCover exposed skinLimit time outdoorsCheck on vulnerable neighbors and pets