If the Mayans got it wrong and the world didn't end, today's first official day of winter is expected to bring exactly what the season often brings to central Pennsylvania - snow.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from 1 a.m. today to 7 p.m. Saturday. Four to six inches of snow was predicted on Thursday evening.
Forecaster Paul Head said an advisory is issued whenever snow accumulations of between 3 to 6 inches, or other conditions that can cause hazardous traveling conditions, are expected.
Head said Mother Nature will offer an interesting combination of weather.
With rain and snow early today, area roads could present slippery conditions for morning commuters.
State police at Mansfield advised residents to call the state Department of Transportation at 800-349-7623 to inquire about road conditions, or use the website www.511pa.com. PennDOT's Tioga County office may be reached at 724-4142 and the Lycoming County office at 368-4281.
For much of the rest of the day, there could be peeks of sunshine.
"It probably won't snow most of the day Friday," Head said.
The high temperature will be 39 degrees.
But with the wind, it will feel colder, and that will present other problems later in the day.
"It's going to get windy and there's going to be some snow showers," Head said. "The combination of the two could cause rapidly changing conditions. And, it also could freeze the roads over. The cold air will come in and the temperatures will drop."
Snow showers should taper off in the evening.
Overall accumulations of snow Friday could reach about 4 inches in Williamsport and a bit more in areas north of the city and in higher elevations.
Saturday could bring more snow showers and breezy conditions.
Wind gusts could reach as high as 33 mph.
Head said intermittent snow squalls could occur during the day. Otherwise, it will be mostly cloudy with a high near 36.
There's a slight chance of showers Saturday night.
Sunday and Monday will be partly sunny with highs in the mid 30s.
A partly sunny day is forecast for Christmas. There's a chance of snow that night, along with freezing rain and sleet.
