Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, January 8 to 9, 1999

A low pressure system developed over the lower Ohio Valley early on the 8th, then tracked northeastward across New York State, eventually reaching northern New England by the evening of the 9th. This storm spread substantial amounts of Gulf moisture northward into northeastern Pennsylvania. As this moisture encountered the cold air mass in place, a variety of wintery type precipitation again resulted. Snow began to fall over much of northeastern Pennsylvania during the late morning and early afternoon hours of the 8th. Amounts of 1 to 3 inches were common across the northern tier counties before snow began to change over to sleet and freezing rain late in the day. A mixture of sleet, freezing rain, and even light rain occurred over Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wayne counties during the overnight hours from the 8th into the 9th. Many areas received a thin glaze of ice on top of already fallen snow. This created very hazardous travel conditions. During the day on the 9th, as the main storm center pulled east into New England, colder air began to wrap back into central New York from the northwest. The result was another burst of snow. Additional accumulations of 2 to 4 inches were seen in many areas, especially the higher elevations. Storm totals of 6 to 7 inches of snow plus ice were observed over the Endless Mountain region of Susquehanna county and northern Wayne county near Pleasant Mount. Snow tapered off from west to east on the afternoon on the 9th.