PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Winter is set to arrive in Pennsylvania before Halloween.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch Friday as a system is expected to bring sometimes heavy snow to parts of central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
"This is very, very unusual," said John LaCorte, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College. "It has all the look and feel of a classic mid-winter Nor'easter. It's going to be very dangerous."
The last major, widespread snowstorm in Pennsylvania this early was in 1972, he said, though more recent storms have hit smaller areas.
Snow was expected to begin falling late Friday in western Pennsylvania and move out of eastern Pennsylvania by Saturday night. Between six and 10 inches of snow could fall in higher elevations, including the Laurel Highlands and the Pocono Mountains. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh may get a coating.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said crews are prepared.