TOWAMENCIN – The Thanksgiving turkeys have not even hit the tables yet, and already the North Penn community is digging out from Mother Nature’s opening act.

The first snowstorm of the season hit the mid-Atlantic states on Thursday afternoon, leaving between 4 and 6 inches of snow across the North Penn area. The early dismissal in the North Penn School District and the subsequent late arrival on Friday morning were an early reminder that a winter of weather related disruptions is beckoning. With forecasters originally calling for 1-2″ of snow, this fast hitting autumn storm was reminiscent of the nor’easters of late last winter that, like yesterday, also made for treacherous commutes home for students and staff. With hundreds of accidents reported across Montgomery County, the drive home was a nightmare for many, leading to hours long drives home for some staff members who normally get home within 30 minutes. As always, the unpredictable ways of winter storms have a way winning out.

The early closure of school on Thursday forced the cancellation of the opening night NP Theater performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but tickets are still available for shows on Friday and Saturday night at 7:30pm, as well as Sunday at 2PM.

Tonight’s District 1 semi-final football game between the Knights and Downingtown West has been moved to Wissahickon High School’s artificial turf stadium, with a 7pm kickoff. This is the third time this postseason that the top seeded Knights have had to relocate to Wissahickon due to unplayable conditions at Crawford Stadium.

The hard work of the NP custodial and maintenance staff kept an actual snow day at bay, which for many will be a welcome relief come June. Even the addition of another quick inch of snow on Friday morning was not enough to keep the doors closed, but certainly kept the plows busy as the sun rose on Friday.