Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, January 2 to 3, 1999

A strong winter storm approached the region from the south central U.S., bringing a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to western Pennsylvania. Across southwest Pennsylvania, between 1 and 3 inches of snow fell before the precipitation turned to freezing rain. Ice accumulations of between 1/4 and 1/2 inch were reported across the majority of the area. Farther north, across northwest Pennsylvania (generally north of Interstate 80), snowfall amounts of between 3 and 6 inches were common before the precipitation turned to freezing rain. In addition to the snowfall, these areas also picked up between 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice accumulation. This combination of ice and snow produced numerous accidents on roads across western Pennsylvania. Two fatalities were reported as a woman and her 8-year-old daughter were killed after their car spun out of control on an icy section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Allegheny County. Winds picked up in intensity across the area on the evening of the 2nd with Fayette and Westmoreland Counties (which border the western slopes of the Laurel Highlands) reporting the most damage. Winds estimated at between 60 and 80 MPH downed trees, power lines and even telephone poles that were already weighed down with a thick accumulation of ice. As a result, an estimated 30,000 people were without power in those two counties. In Latrobe, Westmoreland County, winds blew a section of roof off of the American Legion building. In Fairchance, Fayette County, a restaurant completely collapsed due to the force of the winds. Also in Fayette County, a newly constructed garage near the town of Bridgeport was blown 15 feet off of its foundation and collapsed onto two parked vehicles.