To snow or not to snow?

That is the question many Penn State students are pondering as they wait for the first major snowfall of the winter.

"Being here as a senior, I know it usually starts snowing earlier in the year," Joseph Aiken (senior-pre-medicine) said.

Todd Miner, meteorology instructor, said although the chances of a major storm during exam week are slim, a small amount of snow could fall in State College this week.

Miner said this season has been relatively mild for Pennsylvania, and the past November was warmer than average.

"We haven't had much of a winter, but chances are that we are going to have a measurable snowfall in the next couple of weeks," Miner said.

Aiken said the typically cold and snowy winters in State College discourage students from attending classes.

"I know how much snow we get up here and it's a hassle to get to class," Aiken said. "When it snows a lot, you're not going to be motivated to go to classes."

Arwen Wilson (senior-material science and engineering) also said she is not excited about attending class in snow this winter.

"God I hope they cancel classes," said Wilson. "I'm not a snowy person. It looks pretty as long as I don't have to go to class."

Wilson said she would rather have snow during exam week than during classes but is worried about getting to her exams.

"I don't want to be rushing to get to finals on time and slip and fall," Wilson said.

Justin Herman (senior-film) said he is leaving the cold weather when he goes to study abroad in Australia for his last semester.

"I've been hoping that [the snow] holds until I leave the hemisphere," Herman said.

Herman said the only enjoyable snowfall is the first one of the winter.

"I'm excited to get away from the winter weather," Herman said. "It's always nice the first time it snows, then it gets old."

Herman said he plans on spending time surfing in Australia instead of snowboarding.

Herman said although he is excited for warm weather, he does like some aspects of the snowy weather.

"I love frolicking in the snow, sledding and attacking people with large balls of snow," Herman said, "but only friends of course."

Kim Sakoian (sophomore-marketing) said she does not look forward to walking to class in the snow but is excited for the first major snowfall.

"When I first moved to Pennsylvania I hated the snow, but now I can't wait for it to snow so I can ski," Sakoian said.

Sakoian said it has taken time for her to adjust to the weather.

"Right now [the weather] is good but if it's freezing outside it's worthless if there is no snow," she said.

Pennsylvania State Climatologist Paul Knight said this winter will not be as snowy as the last.

"We've just had two snowy years in a row, but if you wanted to make a bet ... we could get 45 to 80 inches [of snow]," Knight said.

Knight said about 45 inches of snow is the normal amount of snowfall for State College, but in the past two years the area has seen about 80 inches.

Knight said one of the next three months could be colder than usual.

"The pattern we are in now is going to change within the next two weeks," Knight said. "It will be noticeably cold."

Knight said the current weather pattern is mild and rainy but not extremely cold.

According to the National Weather Service, 71.4 inches of snow fell in State College last year compared to the 83.6 inches in 2003.