Centre County newcomer Heather Schmidt is just getting acquainted to the cold State College temperatures.

But Schmidt (freshman-environmental engineering) was warned about State College's unpredictability and is not shocked at the drastic change in the weather during the past week.

"I figured it would happen sooner or later, but last week I was still wearing shorts and sweatshirts," Schmidt said. Now she's expecting "big snow storms" and weather more typical of the region.

Paul Yeager, senior meteorologist at Accu-Weather, 619 W. College Ave., said last week's temperature surge was the result of a rise of the jet stream into Canada, producing the colder temperatures in the North.

But State College had a brief respite from the cold.

"It's gonna be cold," Yeager said, "but not extreme for January. The exception in temperatures was last week, not this one."

Although last week's temperatures were unique for January, some students were not ready for the incoming cold.

"I wasn't expecting the change," said Abbey Kuster (freshman-nutrition). "Because last weekend's weather was so beautiful and now it's all crazy."

Kuster, who did not wear a jacket last week, has a more bleak outlook for the future.

"I'm expecting lots of snow since it's been mild so far. It'll probably hit us all at once," she said.

Other students share similar views.

"It's supposed to be a mild, warmer winter and then a drastic change -- like a crazy weekend snow storm," said Beth Bogus (freshman-elementary education).

Bogus was also wearing typical summertime clothing last week -- skirts, T-shirts and other summer clothes. But the sudden change was pending for her.

"I was expecting it to be cold constantly up here, but it's snowing now, so that makes everything okay," she said with some hesitation.

The sudden change seems to appeal to people who enjoy winter activities and may add a glimmer of hope.

"I'm definitely a summer person. I lifeguard and I'm used to the beach," Schmidt said. "But I'm expecting lots of good skiing weather."

Yeager said the region's temperatures are much closer to normal now. Today's forecast includes snow and flurries with a high of 30 degrees. The normal high for today is 32 degrees.

The next few days will include temperatures in the low 30s, Yeager said, and the week should end on a slightly colder note.