Her name is evocative of a woodland glade in the spring, but she’s likely to turn the woods of Appalachia — and places far beyond to the southwest and the northeast — into a wintry spectacle as forbidding as it will be beautiful.

Winter Storm Fern is not likely to be as memorable for this area as the storms of March 13, 1993, or Jan. 6-8, 1996, according to meteorologist David Martin of the National Weather Service in State College.

But it will bring 10 to 18 inches of fluffy, blowing and drifting snow, starting at the end of Saturday through Monday morning, with frigid weather to follow through next week, Martin said — even as, on a larger scale, Fern has been labeled potentially “catastrophic,” with a projected reach from New Mexico to New Hampshire.

How much snow the region gets will depend on how the storm tracks, Martin said.

If it goes a bit to the north, it will bring an accumulation on the high side of the range, and if a bit to the south, an accumulation on the low side, he predicted.

Among factors controlling the storm is a high pressure area over Canada that is providing the necessary cold air, while also blocking the storm from drifting farther north, according to Martin.

Such storms depend on a “balancing act” with “the right things in the right places,” he said.

There may be some sleet mixed in, especially closer to the Maryland line, and especially in the storm’s later hours, according to Martin and the NWS website.

As of Friday afternoon, there was no way to differentiate the expected accumulation among Blair and its contiguous counties, Martin said.

The storm consists of a large low pressure system moving fairly quickly out of the Rockies and into the Great Plains, heading towards New England, Martin said.

It’s probably as big a storm for the southern states involved as they’ve seen since 2016, Martin said.

Martin suggested that people obtain supplies Saturday, and enjoy the snow from the comfort of their living rooms Sunday, if they aren’t required to go out.

Emergency situation

The City of Altoona has declared a snow emergency from 6 p.m. Saturday until noon Monday, which means that no parking is permitted during that time on snow emergency routes, according to city clerk Linda Rickens Schellhammer. Snow emergency routes are identified with rectangular red and white signs and black letters.

The city is asking residents not to pile snow at intersections or in other areas where it may block the sightlines of motorists, causing a safety hazard.

The city Fire Department is asking residents to clear away snow from fire hydrants near their homes for 3 feet in all directions, so firefighters have quick access to them in case they’re needed.

The fire department is also urging residents not to use electricity generators inside, but rather to run them outside at least 20 feet from their homes, and away from doors and windows — and to use only heavy-duty outdoor extension cords with them.

Residents should also use space heaters and other alternate heating sources with care, according to Fire Chief Adam Free. They shouldn’t use an extension cord for electric heaters, and they should keep a 3-foot clearance around space heaters, especially of combustible material, he said.

The Hope for the Homeless Committee will continue operating its overnight shelter through the coming rough weather at Overflow Church at 127 Fifth Ave., according to shelter Director Kevin Dellape; while the Salvation Army will provide daytime shelter at its church at 1813 Sixth Ave., during the hours when the Overflow shelter is closed, according to Major Christopher Blessing of the Salvation Army.

Van Zandt VA Medical Center will provide a warming center for veterans who need it from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice, according to hospital spokeswoman Rachael Moreland. Charging stations, water and weather information will be available at the center. Service animals are permitted, but not pets. Firearms are also prohibited.

Bedford County Department of Emergency Services is making warming centers available upon request by calling 911 or the non-emergency number, 814-623-1105.

PennDOT is placing Tier 4 restrictions, which prohibit commercial vehicles, buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs, motorhomes and any vehicles towing trailers off of the turnpike, I-70, Route 22 west of I-99 as far as Route 66; Route 219 from Route 30 to Route 22; Route 220 from I-80 to I-180; and Route 322 from I-99 to I-81.

The speed limit on those roadways will be 45 mph.

All PennDOT driver license and photo centers are also closed for the snow emergency on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26-27.

Customers who have road tests scheduled will be contacted by PennDOT staff to reschedule.

All offices at the Blair County Courthouse will also be closed Monday.