The weather system heading toward Berks County will create more slush than snow.
Mixed precipitation with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches is expected for Berks, starting late Sunday afternoon and running into Monday.
“It’s going to be what I call a ‘slop storm,’ ” John Gresiac, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, said in a phone call Saturday. “It’s just going to be kind of messy.”
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 3 a.m. Monday.
Snow is expected to start about sundown before quickly changing to a wintry mix and, eventually, to all rain, according to the advisory.
“It will be a potpourri of precipitation,” Gresiac said.
The rain may be heavy at some periods during the night, he said, and could switch back to snow briefly Monday before ending later that morning.
Expect extreme cold with temperatures in the single digits Sunday morning but by Monday morning the temperature should be in the high 30s.
The temperature is likely to fall into the mid-20s by daybreak Tuesday, and Gresiac advised removing any accumulation of snow or slush from vehicles, sidewalks and driveways before it has a chance to freeze.
Snow totals two hours to the west of Berks will likely be a foot or more.
Even with the local snow forecast downgraded, some Berks residents took no chances.
Snow shovels, ice melts and other winter essentials were moving briskly Saturday from the shelves of some area hardware stores.
“People seem to be buying in advance this year,” said Isai Alvarez, manager of Weaver’s Ace Hardware, 4610 Penn Ave., South Heidelberg Township. “Last year taught them a lesson.”
A three-day snowstorm in February left some scrambling only to find area stores were sold out of shovels, de-icers and snow throwers, he said.
Alvarez said the store he manages is well-stocked and also has a supply of windshield de-icers and scrapers and a selection of sleds and saucers for winter fun.
Ben Reifsnyder, manager of Reifsnyder’s Ag Center, 7180 Bernville Road, Jefferson Township, said sales of shovels and other snow and ice removal products at the family-owned True Value hardware store seem to be on par with this time last winter.
However, he said, the extreme cold Saturday spurred increased sales of wood pellets for heating stoves.
Although there is no shortage of merchandise, Reifsnyder said, the store is slightly understocked due to difficulties getting inventory that many other retailers also are experiencing.
At Conrad Weiser True Value Hardware Store, 411 N. Third St., Womelsdorf, Glenn Leininger was preparing for a rush of last-minute customers.
Leininger, president of the family-owned store, said it is likely that the business will see an increase in sales of shovels and de-icers Sunday as the storm draws closer.
In the city, residents are encouraged to prepare by moving vehicles off the streets.
The Reading Parking Authority is offering free parking in all city garages.
Gates will be open from 8 a.m. Sunday through 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Payment will be required to exit after gates close Tuesday.
Parkers are asked to pull a ticket to enter and can exit without payment. Tickets will be needed to exit after the free period.
Source: Berkshire mont
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