Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
Wintry precipitation will continue across northern and western Pennsylvania tonight as temperatures drop, with lake effect snow creating hazardous travel conditions. The heaviest snow is expected Monday night into Tuesday, bringing the coldest temperatures of the season so far. A Lake Effect Snow Warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. EST Tuesday for northwestern Pennsylvania, with a Winter Weather Advisory covering adjacent areas. Snow has struggled to accumulate during daylight hours, but conditions will deteriorate after sunset as temperatures fall below freezing, causing wet roads to become icy and slippery. The National Weather Service expects snow bands to intensify overnight with a northwest-to-southeast orientation. While accumulations will be minimal southeast of the Allegheny Front, areas under the heaviest bands could see significant snowfall. Forecasters note this is the first snow of the season for many residents and advise allowing extra travel time and taking care when shoveling. Strong winds will accompany the snow, with gusts of 25 to 35 mph expected across the region. The lake effect snow should gradually diminish Tuesday afternoon and evening as winds shift, though some bands may linger longer than initially forecast. Flurries might be visible across central Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning, but what is a certainty is several days of winds, from 20 to 30 mph. Under partly sunny skies, the winds should continue out of the west through Wednesday afternoon. Highs will be in the mid-40s on Tuesday and then rise into the 50s the remainder of the week. Meanwhile, upper-level troughing will keep rain and snow shower chances in the forecast through Friday, especially over northwest Pennsylvania. Wind gusts could reach 30 to 35 mph on Wednesday, with potential gusts of 40 to 45 mph over the Laurel Highlands. The December-like cold air mass is expected to retreat later in the week, with temperatures returning closer to seasonal averages. High pressure building in from the southwest should bring mainly dry conditions Friday into early Sunday, before another system approaches with mainly rain by Sunday into Monday. Current weather radar Weather reports Arctic winds bring a ‘cold blast’ to US this week. Here’s how Pa. will be affected Winter Storm Watch issued for Northwest Pa. as cold front brings snow Early-season storm threatens Chicago with thundersnow, 30 mph winds Central Pa. can expect scattered showers Sunday ahead of a major blast of cold air
