Forecaster warns residents: Get ready for a big chill

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Ice forms on a hemlock tree on Laurel Mountain in Jenner Township. John Rucosky

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January 20, 2013

Forecaster warns residents: Get ready for a big chill

David Hurst dhurst@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Sun Jan 20, 2013, 11:14 PM EST

JOHNSTOWN — National Weather Service Meteorologist Joe Ceru has a message for those venturing outdoors Tuesday and Wednesday: Bundle up and be prepared.

Arctic temperatures are expected to move their way into much of Pennsylvania early Tuesday and stick around for a few days, bringing the likelihood of single digit temperatures that feel frigid and subzero when joined by wind gusts, he said.

“It’s going to be very cold,” Ceru said Sunday, adding that all of Cambria and Somerset counties should expect to see similar temperatures.

Both the National Weather Service and AccuWeather are predicting temperatures to drop significantly early Tuesday.

Ceru noted that if the forecasts hold up, temperatures won’t be much different during the day when folks are on their way to and from work or school.

“If you’re going out, stay covered up and dress in layers. Make sure you have emergency preparedness kits with extra winter clothes and a jacket packed in your car – and don’t stay outside for an extended period of time,” Ceru said.

Wind gusts were an issue over the weekend, downing trees and limbs throughout the county Sunday, Cambria 911 officials said.

More than 1,300 Penelec customers lost power at one point or another Sunday morning, Penelec’s outage map showed.

Penelec reported outages primarily in the northern and southern parts of the county.

More than 150 customers lost power Sunday morning in the East Taylor Township area while 88 customers temporarily lost power in Southmont. In White Township, near Prince Gallitzin State Park, there were reports 866 customers lost power.

Outages appeared to have been addressed by Sunday evening.

Ceru said temperatures are expected to return to a January normal – with highs in the mid-20s – Thursday and Friday.