First ’18 Storm Lighter

Here Than Elsewhere

Still, It’s Colder Than Usual, Mattice Says,

And More Snowfall Predicted For Sunday

It may have a surprise, but it shouldn’t have been, according to National Weather Service weather Dave Mattice of Oneonta.

Mid-November snows are not unusual, he said a few minutes ago, just as Cooperstown DPW chief Mitch Hotaling declared the village snow emergency, originally due to last until this evening, at an end.

“This is definitely not the most snow we’ve had in November,” said Mattice.  “I remember a Thanksgiving snow, riding a snowmobile up Chestnut Street all the way to East Street.”

If anything, Otsego County got it easy in the overnight storm.  “We were spared,” Mattice said.  “Hancock got 12-13 inches. I only got 5 inches” at his Oneonta home.  In Cooperstown, it appeared 6-8 inches had fallen.

That said, the weather observer added, “We’re experiencing one heck of a cold October and November. The normal high is 45 degrees at this time of year; highs have been 10 degrees lower, more or less.  “We’re locked into a cold mass,” Mattice said.

Nonetheless, roads were slick overnight and today, with commuters between Oneonta and Cooperstown reporting the 40-minute drive was up to an hour.  Schools were closed across Otego County today, and kids headed for toboggan runs.

Sunny skies are being predicted Saturday, with a high of 37, and more snow is expected Sunday.