Storm stands to set a record

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VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
The snowstorm that left the Mahoning Valley covered in piles of white could be one for the record books.
The National Weather Service expected 10 to 20 inches of snow for the area between noon Tuesday and noon today.
People were taking the warning to heart, as grocery stores across the area reported a steady flow of customers coming in Tuesday afternoon to buy food staples.
They were stocking up on everything they need, said a manager at the Sparkle Market in Struthers. That included a number of people buying supplies of cigarettes, he said.
A manager at the Giant Eagle on Belmont Avenue said he noticed a lot of people buying bread and milk but the store was having no problem keeping its shelves stocked.
A manager at the Giant Eagle in Boardman said the rush wasn't as bad as he had anticipated. Bottled water, milk and other basic items were going out the door. He said people were buying enough to get them through a couple of days.
An employee at the Save-A-Lot in Warren said the rush started in the afternoon with a lot of big buggies with bread, milk and meat being hauled out by customers.
The greatest 24-hour snowfall in the Valley's recorded weather history occurred Nov. 24-25, 1950, when 20.7 inches of snow fell.
Between Nov. 23 and 26 of that year, 29 inches of snow fell. The snowfall record for the Valley is 85.3 inches during the 1950-51 winter season.
Potential five-year record
Even if the area gets the expected 10-inch minimum amount, it would be the most snow to fall in the Valley during a 24-hour period during the past five years, according to NWS data.
The most snow recorded by the weather service in a 24-hour period during the past half-decade is 7.3 inches on Feb. 17, 2003.
Winds gusting up to 30 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow, and create higher piles, forecasters warned.
"When all is said and done, it's going to be the biggest snowstorm of the season," said Dennis Bray, a NWS meteorologist in Cleveland.
While the snow is expected to stop by this afternoon, the Valley will be in for yet another deep freeze, Bray said. The low temperature for tonight and Thursday is about 5 degrees, he said.
The Valley won't "warm up" until Friday when the high is expected to be in the mid-20s, Bray said.
There was already more snow in the 2006-07 winter season through Monday -- 44.6 inches -- than the average snowfall of 36.1 inches as of Feb. 12.
Parking restrictions
The heavy snow prompted parking bans Tuesday in a number of local communities including Youngstown, Liberty, Salem, Weathersfield and McDonald. The parking bans remain in effect until officials in those communities lift them. Vehicles in violation may be towed.
In his first executive order as mayor, a position he's held since January 2006, Jay Williams declared a snow emergency prohibiting parking on all streets except those having a width of 25 feet or less and no driveway facilities until further notice.
A declaration of snow emergency occurs where there is an accumulation of snow of 4 inches or more and is meant to alleviate potential safety hazards and allow safe movement of emergency vehicles through the city.
A number of communities also asked that vehicles not be parked along streets to facilitate snow removal. They include Howland, Cortland, Girard, Hubbard, Niles, Warren and Liberty.
Closings, cancellations
All branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, and the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library closed Tuesday afternoon. The systems hadn't decided Tuesday if the branches would reopen today.
The NWS has a winter storm warning in effect until noon today for Mahoning, Trumbull and surrounding counties. A heavy snow warning was in effect for Mercer County; Lawrence County was under a winter storm warning.
The Mahoning County Juvenile Court and Probate Court both closed Tuesday and will be closed today because of the weather. The Columbiana County Juvenile Court closed Tuesday. It was not clear if the court will resume today.
Mahoning County closed its offices Tuesday and officials hadn't decided if they would reopen today.
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