Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By: Monsoon Mike

One more wintry weather event is on the way, folks, and I promise, this is the last one ... for at least a week. In fact, by Sunday, we may be flirting in spring-like territory with temperatures deep into the 50s! To get there, however, we need to get through another winter storm, this one very minor, but coming at the totally wrong time ... the morning rush. 

Winter Weather Advisory Issued For Schuylkill County

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 10 AM EST TUESDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 10 AM EST TUESDAY.

* LOCATIONS...THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY AND EAST-CENTRAL MOUNTAINS.

* HAZARD TYPES...SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 3 INCHES...WITH A FEW LOCATIONS SEEING UP TO 4 INCHES.

* TIMING...LATE TONIGHT THROUGH INTO THE LATE MORNING HOURS TUESDAY.

* IMPACTS...SNOW COVERED ROADS AND HAZARDOUS TRAVEL.

* WINDS...SOUTHEAST 5 TO 10 MPH.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE TEENS TO AROUND 20.

* VISIBILITIES...MAINLY BETWEEN 1 AND 2 MILES...WITH PERIODS OF AROUND ONE-HALF OF A MILE VISIBILITY AROUND DAYBREAK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. USE CAUTION IF TRAVELING. FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION...GO TO WEATHER.GOV/CTP OR STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

REPORT SNOW OR ICE ACCUMULATION TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO CTP.STORMREPORTS@NOAA.GOV... POSTING TO THE NWS STATE COLLEGE FACEBOOK PAGE...OR TWEET @NWSSTATECOLLEGE WITH THE HASHTAG #CTPWX.

Prisoner Escape in Lehigh Valley

ESCAPED PRISONER | NAZARETH | NORTHAMPTON |

PD HAS ISSUED A BOLO (BE ON THE LOOK OUT) FOR A MALE PRISONER WHO ESCAPED FROM AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. PRISONER DITCHED ORANGE JUMPSUIT AND IS BELIEVED TO BE WEARING JUST A THERMAL SHIRT AND PANTS. BELIEVED TO BE IN A 1993 TOYOTA CAMRY BEARING PA TAG: JHN1842 WITH HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. SUBJECT IS DESCRIBED AS ARMED AND DANGEROUS AND IS BELIEVED TO BE CARRYING A SHOT GUN. IF YOU SEE THIS VEHICLE CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY AND DO NOT APPROACH.

Update:  The individual is said to be Danie Preziosi and he is said to have escaped custody after a prelimary hearing in Nazareth, PA.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast and Snowfall Amounts

By: Monsoon Mike

This is quite a pattern we're in and it doesn't really stop here. ANOTHER snow event is heading our way, but his one should be fairly minor. That being said, Schuylkill has more of a chance of seeing snow than our neighbors to the south, say Berks or Lehigh, for example, so this is nothing to ignore. 

A quick moving clipper system will send us two waves of precipitation, the first probably beginning late Monday Night/early Tuesday following a dry, chilly Monday. 

The second wave comes later Tuesday after a mainly non-precipitating Tuesday. The second wave may be more in the form of snow showers or "squalls." I think the first "wave" is the more organized batch. Either way, once you get done adding up the two "waves," I think a general 1 to 2 inches countywide is possible. 

Warning: The "bust" potential for forecasts with clippers are very high meaning I have more of a chance of blowing a clipper forecast, believe it or not, than a bigger storm. The reason is that they are often smaller and much quicker. Using an analogy, think of a BIG storm as a huge bowling ball and a clipper as a tennis ball. The bowling ball has a LOT of precipitation with it coming at the pins and there's really not many ways to miss. But a tiny tennis ball flies faster, has more of a chance to change direction, and may totally miss. More chance the tennis ball goes astray and misses doing anything. So right now, my confidence in 1 to 2 inches for Monday Night and Tuesday is about 45%. My confidence in the forecast when I re-look at it tomorrow will be around 70%.

Amber Alert Cancelled After Child Found Safe

Last evening, an Amber Alert was issued for Kayleigh Simcsuk, from Palmerton, Carbon County after it was reported to police that she was abducted by Timothy Simcsuk.

Tamaqua Police Looking For Truck Involved in Morning Incident

TAMAQUA CRIME WATCH ALERT (Posted 6:15 AM; Dec. 15, 2013)

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POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A TRUCK INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT IN OWL CREEK

Tamaqua Police are looking for a black or darker colored late-model full-size pickup truck that allegedly struck a utility pole along Owl Creek Road in Tamaqua sometime today in the early morning (Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013).

The truck is said to have damage done to the passenger side door handle and running boards; and possibly side mirror.

Call (570) 668-5000 if you have any information.

Posted by:  TamaquaArea.com

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

By: Monsoon Mike

Schuylkill escaped the first two storms this past week without much ado but we finally got our due Saturday with snow & sleet. My accumulations worked out quite well from yesterday's map. Now it's time for a rest.

Later Sunday we clear out and Monday stays dry and cold. Milder weather later this coming week. A small dose of mainly very light snow is possible Tuesday but looking minor (if it even happens) at this point.

Amber Alert issued For Child Abduction in Carbon County

Amber Alert issued For Child Abduction in Carbon County

Saturday at approx. 6:30pm Kyleigh Simcsuk, age 4, was abducted from Delaware Ave. in Palmerton.  State Police said the police was abducted by Timothy Simcsuk, age 25.

Police are looking for a dark green mini-van with either PA or California registration.

Direction of travel is unknown.

Schuylkill County Boroughs with Snow Emergencies

The following borough(s) declared a SNOW EMERGENCY

Ashland

ASHLAND BOROUGH HAS DECLARED A SNOW EMERGENCY:

EFFECTIVE SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2013 FROM 2AM TO 6AM.

Parking will be prohibited on Hoffman Boulevard from Brock Street to Centre Street and also on Centre Street from Front Street to 23rd Street.

Residents are ordered to move their cars from these locations between 2am and 6am.

Any vehicles that are not moved from the above locations will be fined $50 and towed away at the Owner's expense.

Mahanoy City

Snow Parking Ban Tonight

Mayor has issued a snow parking ban. There will be NO PARKING between Midnight & 7AM on the following streets: Centre St. , Main St. , South St from 2nd Street west to Borough line.

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast 12/14/13 - Storm Total Predictions

By:  Monsoon Mike

No real changes to my forecast from yesterday. A snowstorm for Saturday is upon us and southern areas of Skook will see anywhere from 3 to 5 inches with northern Skook seeing anywhere in the range from 4 to 6 inches (see map). That doesn't mean southern Skook has less to worry about. In actuality, they may have 'more' problems since I expect some sleet and possibly freezing rain to mix in later in the storm in those parts. Northern Skook 'may' stay all snow contributing to the higher totals. Of course, in situations like this, us weather forecasters can be 90% definite but with Mother Nature, nothing is ever in stone, so a slight jog in the storm could increase or decrease totals, but I'm pretty confident with this call.

As for timing, things get going Saturday morning around 10 a.m., but I think most of the daylight hours, snow falls on the lighter side. The crux of the precipitation moves in around 4 p.m. and snows in earnest until around 8 when I think some sleet or freezing rain could mix in. Everything should wrap up around midnight tomorrow night.

Make sure to be following my Facebook page for on-the-fly updates throughout the storm. And if you hate this winter weather, hang tight. Long range models show later next week, we may crack 40! FORTY I said! Break out the bikinis!

 

Click map to view larger

To get more updates from Monsoon Mike, make sure you like his Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monsoon-Mikes-Weather-Headquarters/277030735667101

Winter Storm Warning Issued For Schuylkill County

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM SATURDAY TO 4 AM EST SUNDAY...

Cancellations For Saturday

Cancellations have already begun before Saturday's Winter Storm.




Updated:  10:30am, 12/14/13

Nativity BVM - Boys & Girls Basketball Postponed

Pine Grove Area  - ACT Cancelled

St. Nicholas/Minersville - A Christmas Carol Postponed until Sunday at 6:30

Tamaqua Area Band - Formal rescheduled to January 18, 2014

TAMAQUA ATHLETIC EVENTS POSTPONED
----------------------------------------- -------------
JV/Var. Girls Basketball:
at Tri Valley has been ppd to:
Monday, December 30 - 6:00
Depart - 4:30
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Varsity Wrestling:
at Exeter Duals has been ppd to:
Sat. Dec. 21
Tamaqua will NOT be in attendance as we are in the Berwick Duals
-------------
Jr. Hi. Wrestling:
at Blue Mt. Tournament has been ppd to:
Friday, Dec. 20 - approximately 2:30 (coaches meeting at 2:30 wrestling to follow)
Depart at 12:30 via Van
-------------
Also note:
The band formal has been ppd and rescheduled to Sat. Jan 18 at the Tam. Elem. School
-------------
From: Mike Hromyak, Tamaqua AD
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 You can also now follow us on twitter at: @TASDAthletics1

3rd Annual Tamaqua Elks Boilo Contest TONIGHT

Looking for something to do tonight before you're stuck inside all day tomorrow during the storm.  How about a boilo contest?

3rd Annual Tamaqua Elks Boilo Contest

Enter your favorite boilo recipe, OR just come to taste all the entries. Admission will be $5 per person, food buffet and desserts included. Bar will be open to purchase drinks. Event starts @ 7pm, voting will be @ 8:30 pm. You do not have to be a member this is open to the public, invite your friends and hope to see you there :-)

Link to event: https://www.facebook.com/events/580949311960917/


Located at 201 W Broad St, Tamaqua

Winter Storm Watch Issued For Schuylkill County

WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM EARLY SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast - Early Storm Predictions

By:  Monsoon Mike

After another bitterly cold day on Friday, we're looking into the eyes of a minor to moderate snow event on Saturday, beginning mid morning and lasting until late evening or pre-dawn Sunday.

A quick moving Low pressure will transfer its energy off coast and throw back a swath of plowable but non-crippling snow Saturday. As warm air gets worked into the storm, some mixing to sleet or freezing rain is possible, but I think the plain rain stays well to our south. Nevertheless, just depending where you are in Skook could vary how much I think you'll get.

This map is my FIRST CALL subject to change tomorrow as the storm draws closer.

Click on map to view larger

To get ongoing storm predictions and forecast, make sure you like Monsoon Mike's Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monsoon-Mikes-Weather-Headquarters/277030735667101

School Closings and Delays 12/12/13

Mahanoy Area - 2 hour delay

Domestic Incident and Fire Last Evening In Mahanoy City

Last evening, authorities were called to 1031 East Pine St, Mahanoy City for a domestic incident and fire. 

While in route, Officers were advised that there were reported flames in the basement and a domestic dispute going on at the same residence.

Upon arrival at the scene officers saw heavy smoke coming from the residence of 1031 E. Pine St. Police also located the victim, Elrena L. Gibson, sitting on the sidewalk with massive head trauma. Gibson was bleeding profusely from her head and face. Gibson stated "Joe Yeich did this".

Witnesses told police that Yeich stated to them that Gibson tried to kill him, so he beat her up and set the house on fire, because the devil made him do it. Witnesses stated that Yeich ran around the corner and was located in a home on Market St.

Gibson was loaded onto a stretcher by EMS Personnel and transported to SCI Mahanoy, where she subsequently flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital near Allentown for treatment of her injuries.

Yeich was located at 1038 E. Market St. and was taken into custody. At the time he was taken into custody Yeich stated to police "the Devil made me do it".

EMS personnel told police stated that while treating the victim, Elrena Gibson, for head trauma they noticed a strong odor of Chemical Bleach.
Upon asking Gibson as to what happened, she told them that Joe Yeich poured bleach all over me. Gibson then continued to go in and out of consciousness.

Hospital personnel from Lehigh Valley Medical Center contacted the Mahanoy City police stating that they had secured the clothing of our victim, Elrena Gibson. The clothing was to have had chlorine bleach all over it.

Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal John Burns was called in to assist in the investigation of the fire. Trooper Burns concluded that the fire was in fact arson and was set in the basement portion of 1031 E. Pine St.

The deliberate setting of this fire caused the evacuation of approx. 20-30 neighbors into the sub freezing temperatures, and placed the threat of serious bodily injury or death to numerous Police, Fire and EMS personnel.

Yeich was charged with Aggravated Assault, Arson, Causing or Risking a Catastrophe, Criminal Mischief, Simple Assault, and Recklessly Endangering another Person. Yeich was arraigned by on-call District Justice Stephen Bayer and subsequently committed to the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bail.

This information is posted from Mahanoy City Police Department Facebook page

Schuylkill County Weather Forecast

We've got quite a brutally cold airmass out there, more along the lines of January or February, but things seem to be rolling full speed ahead this winter so far, and we've got another storm to watch this coming weekend. While I'm not expecting anything monumental, I think areas farther inland from last time get a good batch of precipitation while areas closer to the big cities may have more liquid or ice; in other words, a more "typical" winter storm than the past two. Also am not expecting huge snowfall amounts before any changeover, but enough to be "plowable" is quite likely. One model indicates even that the storm may be in no rush to depart so both your weekend days may be less than stellar. Perhaps a good weekend to stay in and do some holiday baking.

Between now and then, not much else to say other than c .. c .. cold with a snow flurry or shower at any time. Temperatures Thursday will be the most shocking with highs only around 20 across Schuylkill, maybe 25 in my more southern regions and lows of about 9, yes I said 9, across Schuylkill and 15 in my more southern regions.

Schuylkill County Man Allegedly Attacks Middletown Police

Pennlive.com posted a story yesterday about a Schuylkill County man who allegedly turned on an officer and attempted to grab his firearm.

Swatara Twp. and Middletown police intended to arrest Eric Lee for his role in a domestic violence incident that happened Saturday morning and when he found out he was going to be arrested, that's when he turned on police.

He is currently in Dauphin County Prison.


Link to article:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/12/schuylkill_county_man_attacked.html

Truck Takes Down Multiple Poles in Tamaqua Crash

From www.tamaquaarea.com

A driver escaped serious injuries after crashing his truck into a pole along Owl Creek Road in Tamaqua around 2:15 AM Wednesday morning. The impact severed one pole and pulled down the top of another pole. Responding were Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua fire department, Tamaqua Ambulance, Tamaqua Police and others. As of 4:30 AM, the road was still closed while PPL does repairs. Tamaqua Fire Police are controlling traffic.