Across Northeast Pennsylvania, meteorologists say they’re excited about the upcoming storm but also aware of the challenges it will bring to area residents.
Fox56 meteorologist Brian Schroeder said he lives for such storms as a meteorologist, but also reminds people to be safe.
Aaron (SUBMITTED)
Schroeder (SUBMITTED)
Show Caption
1 of 2
Aaron (SUBMITTED)
The storm, which for now is expected to bring from 12 to 18 inches of snow, will mean dangerous roads and frigid temperatures.
Schroeder expects that snow might fall at a rate of up to 1 or 2 inches per hour, making it difficult to keep roads clear.
Different areas may get different amounts at different rates, he added. And, because models shift from day to day, its important for residents to keep updated on the latest weather information.
Schroeder said should his prediction be wrong and the storm fizzle, he would be disappointed professionally but also relieved that people wouldn’t have to meet the challenges of a big snowstorm.
Excitement and concern
WNEP Chief Meteorologist Kurt Aaron is also excited about the upcoming storm, but with a similar caveat.
Before and during a big storm, meteorologists find reporting on weather is relatively easy, with a lot of information available to share with an interested public.
Heightening this excitement, he said, is that Sunday’s storm is likely to be the biggest such weather event since 2021.
But other issues such as shoveling properties, treating roads and then plowing put a burden on people and municipalities, Aaron said.
He likens it to making a favorite meal from a recipe. It’s exciting and, if done properly, you end up with a great dinner. But creating a great meal also means a lot of time and then cleanup after it is over.
So, Aaron, who spent many hours in the newsroom with his staff pondering weather models, said it’s exciting to make accurate predictions and to help people appropriately brace for the storm. He’s also aware that many municipalities are spending tax dollars to treat and plow the snow.
Plummeting temperatures have also had an impact on pets, including his dogs, Rocco and Ranger.
Aaron often takes the dogs to work, and his viewers have come to love them.
But recent frigid temperatures and an abundance of rock salt, which can damage dogs’ paw pads, have kept the dogs at home.
Technology is key
Aaron will celebrate 30 years with the station in December and has been its chief meteorologist for 10 years.
When it comes to snowstorms, technology has been the biggest factor in predicting them, he said.
In 1996, tools to do so were pretty rudimentary, and Aaron remembers printing a limited number of storm models on a dot-matrix printer.
Now he can scroll through multiple models on a computer screen, accompanied by additional information.
“Within 30 seconds, we have an idea of what six different models are showing,” he said. “Its breathtaking.”