Winter Weather Woes in Pennsylvania

Winter Weather in Pennsylvania: When I went to bed last night, I broke my routine. Normally, after my dose of political humor from Comedy Central, I turn to the Weather Channel for the forecast of the next day. Last night, however, I had just finished reading 60 pages on the Great Depression, and was eager to get to bed, therefore skipping the normal ritual.

I woke up this morning and nothing was different: Cold? Yes. Tired? Yes. Looking forward to classes? Not so much. I showered, got dressed, grabbed a banana, and headed for my first class, neglecting gloves or a hat. Coming out of that same class later in the afternoon, I was heavily regretting my decision to not watch the forecast.

Snow was coming down around me, and the hoods on the jackets of my classmates flew up in a synchronized movement. I, on the other hand, simply squinted and tilted my head forward- the unprepared man's hood.

I made it safely back to my dorm here at Penn State Berks campus, and reoutfitted for the remainder of the day.

Now, armed with gloves, hat, and scarf, I left yet again for a class.

Upon leaving this class, my surprise continued to mount. Within 45 minutes, the snow had accumulated to a heafty inch, and was not showing signs of stopping. I was reminded of the song "Baby It's Cold Outside," and promptly started to sing an internal duet.

My friend, Josh, had made the same mistake I had made earlier in the day: no jacket, gloves, or hat. I said I felt for him, but not enough to give him mine. We tiptoed up and down the hills on campus, so as not to slip and look ridiculous. Unfortunately, I slipped. And yes, I looked ridiculous.

I can't help but be reminded of a major storm that happened last year, also in the spring semester. Overnight, snow had accumulated to six or eight inches. It just so happens that it was a Friday, the day I return home, and being that I drive a 97 Cavalier, I was not very well suited for driving in winter weather.

After at least a half hour of intense ice scraping, I was finally able to see out of my windshield. It was not as easy as that. You see, now my car could not leave the parking spot. I exited the car and used my ice scraper as a shovel to clear a small tire path, and after wasting ten dollars worth of gas, I was able to get out.

I made it home safely, maxing out at about twenty miles per hour that day.

As I sit and write this, I am staring out the window at the thick flakes, with barely a quarter mile of visibility. According to weather.com, the snow should be stopping here in Reading, Pennsylvania at around one in the morning tomorrow, with a total accumulation of one to three inches.

One to three sounds good to me. It's just enough to give that reminiscent winter feeling, but thankfully not enough to keep me stranded this weekend.