The clock tower and fountain in Detwiller Plaza, Hellertown, are still recognizable despite nearly 3 feet of snow.
Although the Blizzard of 2016 isn’t close to being over yet, the “overperforming” storm is already shaping up to be one for the record books, with locations in the Lehigh Valley reporting close to two feet of snow by mid-afternoon Saturday.
Officially at Lehigh Valley International Airport 21.2 inches of snow was measured at 1 p.m., which is only about five inches less than the all-time record snowfall (25.9 inches) recorded during the Blizzard of 1996 almost exactly 20 years ago.
The region remains under a blizzard warning for 22 to 30 inches of snow through 3 a.m. Sunday, and as of 4 p.m. heavy snow from a precipitation band oriented along a northeast-southwest axis continued to fall across much of east central Pennsylvania.
In the Saucon Valley, Saturday was a snow day for most businesses and most residents (wisely) stayed at home, only venturing out if they were dressed appropriately for the weather or had to for work.
Snow emergencies remain in effect in both Hellertown borough and Lower Saucon Township.
Below are blizzard-related photos submitted by Saucon Source readers via Facebook, in no particular order. If your photo is one of the ones featured, be sure to share this story with your friends on Facebook and let them know it was published on Saucon Source!
Main Street in Hellertown was unusually quiet because of the blizzard.
Lower Saucon Township
Hellertown
A car is nearly buried on First Avenue in Hellertown
Deep snow in Lower Saucon Township
17 inches measured early Saturday afternoon in a Lower Saucon Township yard
Hydration for shoveling
Rose Lane, Lower Saucon Township
Most pets were excited, curious, confused or a combination thereof, because of the snow.
The digging out will take time.
Detwiller Plaza in Hellertown was a study in stone-faced beauty as the Blizzard of 2016 raged.
Steel City, Lower Saucon Township, during the early morning twilight
West Depot Street, Hellertown
Hellertown, during the early morning hours on Saturday
Wassergass, Lower Saucon Township
The snow was so deep by mid-afternoon Saturday that some plow drivers–like this one along Rt. 412 in Lower Saucon Township–were having difficulty making passes.
Smaller dogs like Monty–who lives in Hellertown–struggled to walk through the deep snow when it was time to ‘do their duty.’
There’s nothing like a game of blizz-ball (blizzard baseball) to break the monotony during a major snowstorm. This one took place in Hellertown.
Patio sets disappeared under heavy snow all across the Saucon Valley.
Familiar places became almost unrecognizable under the heavy snow that fell.
At times the snowfall rate was measured in inches-per-hour.
Just clearing a modest path was a major undertaking.
Hellertown
Normally busy Rt. 412 (Main Street) in Hellertown was mostly deserted on Saturday afternoon because of the blizzard.
Wassergass, Lower Saucon Township
Snowblowing in Lower Saucon Township
Hellertown
The heavy snow provided a rare opportunity for motorbike enthusiasts to ride on deserted streets.
Wassergass, Lower Saucon Township
This was the first blizzard many local children had ever experienced.
The snow was a fun playground for bigger kids, too.
Union Cemetery of Hellertown, from Walnut Street
Kingston Park, off Countryside Lane in Lower Saucon Township
Several tractor-trailers became stuck as they attempted to enter I-78 West at the Rt. 412 on-ramp by Turkey Hill in Bethlehem, just across the border from Hellertown.
Northampton Street, Hellertown
The Saucon Valley School District campus, viewed from Walnut Street
Ice-clogged local waterways slowed to a trickle
The historic Pony Bridge along W. Walnut Street in Hellertown
It was a good day for quiet walk in the woods, as long as you were appropriately outfitted
The historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill in Hellertown
Skibo Road in Lower Saucon Township
Northampton Street, Hellertown
“Wow, that is a lot of snow!” Some adults and kids opted for unusual facewear.
The fountain in Borough Authority Park in Hellertown is enrobed in ice and snow.
In order to achieve an accurate measurement of snow depth, it is recommended to take three separate measurements in wind-sheltered areas and calculate the average.
Hellertown, near W. Walnut Street
Walking in the street was easier than trying to walk on unshoveled sidewalks. Pictured: Main Street, Hellertown
The joys of summer seemed far away on one of the snowiest Saturdays ever in Saucon Valley.
