Area temperatures during Eastern’s finals week should hover around the 40s and possibly the 50s, said local weather observer Dalias Price.

“It’s December weather but a little milder,” Price said. “Snow at the earliest will be next weekend.”

Price, who was recently awarded for his 40 years of service with the National Weather Service, said temperatures will also be below freezing at times during the week. The morning lows will be in the upper 20s.

“There’s a lot of cold weather lurking in the Arctic and it keeps building up and eventually it will be able to descend upon us, but it hasn’t yet,” Price said. “It’s coming eventually.”

When snow does begin to hit, Price advises students traveling long distances to have warm clothes, food, water and a first aid kit in their car, but he said most students are not so precautious.

When driving in the snow, students should drive slower and further away from the car in front of them.

Abrupt starting and stopping is what causes accidents, Price said.

Clear ice and overpasses are also dangerous conditions for winter drivers.

Price said drivers may not notice icy roads until they start applying their brakes because the ice may be so clear that it is hard to notice.

In addition, snow and ice often quickly accumulate on overpasses because the wind can blow underneath the overpasses and cause them to freeze before regular streets do, Price said.

Area residents can call 348-7623 for winter weather and road conditions.