Shock, amazement and frustration swept the Penn State campus yesterday as yet another snowstorm hit the State College area, covering the springtime greens with a fresh, white layer of snow.

Yesterday's precipitation further added to the above-average snowfall the region has received since October 30, when the first measurable snow accumulation occurred. Chris Johannesson, meteorologist at the Weather Communications Group, said that before today's storm, 80.9 inches of snow had fallen in State College. As of early yesterday evening, four inches of fresh snow covered the ground, making the latest snowfall total close to 85 inches.

Rob Miller of the Campus Weather Service explained the meteorology behind the latest bout of winter weather, which was due mostly to the movements of high and low pressure systems through the area.

"Basically we had a strong high pressure system from eastern Canada trapping cold air in the mountains north of Centre County," he said. "A low pressure system powering this storm also moved up through the Ohio Valley, bringing with it moist air, which moved through the colder air mass over our region, producing the snow and sleet."

When explaining the storm system, Johannesson added, "It looked like the classic winter storm, only in early April."

As students woke for classes, few expected to see flurries. The fresh snow disappointed Deirdre Shortle (sophomore-public relations), who explained her first thoughts: "I was like, damn, I'm sick of this weather."

Lee Kimball (senior-Spanish and business) also expressed his disapproval of yesterday's snowfall and overall abnormal weather patterns in the past few weeks.

"State College needs to make up its mind," he said.

Johannesson said while snowfall in April is not normal in State College, it is not unheard of. On April 9, 2000, about an inch of measurable snow fell in the area. Seven years ago, in April of 1996 there was some snow accumulation throughout the month, but no snowstorm left more than 0.4 inches of snow.

Many school districts in the surrounding area and at least one Penn State Commonwealth Campus canceled classes yesterday as a result of the wintry weather. However, University Park campus remained open.

Jill Harrison (senior-communication disorders) expressed her disapproval of the administration's decision to keep the University Park campus open.

"I didn't want to go to class, I didn't even want to leave my apartment," she said.

While yesterday's snow may have ceased, Miller and Johannesson do not expect warmer weather this week. The remainder of the week will be mostly cloudy, cold and damp. The main disturbance that brought yesterday's precipitation will continue to slowly slide across the eastern United States, possibly bringing with it more wet snow or rain. Scattered rain or snow showers can be expected the rest of the week. By the weekend and into early next week, it will begin to clear, warming up and drying out the region.

Johannesson said after this week we may see the end of snow until next winter; chances of another snowfall will become increasingly slim through April.

Jeremie Vu (senior-communications), a Harrisburg native, has learned over the years to adapt to atypical weather in central Pennsylvania.

"I've got my shorts next to my coat," he said. "You learn to expect this crazy kind of weather."