Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, March 4 to 7, 2001

Name: Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, March 4 to 7, 2001
Start: 2001-03-04T07:00
End: 2001-03-07T04:00
Location: Pennsylvania

March 4 to 7, 2001 · NWS CTP · 33 events in 33 counties and zones

33 heavy snow, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 33 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $150,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 33

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 4, 3:30 AM EST, 3 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 4, 3:30 AM EST, 3 hours 30 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
330 AM EST SUN MAR 4 2001

IMPRESSIVE STORM SCENARIO CONTINUES TO BE PAINTED BY THE LATEST
MODEL RUNS. CENTRAL PA IS NOW POISED TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF THIS EARLY
MARCH STORM.

UPPER LEVEL LOW RETROGRESSION A BIT SLOWER...AND NOW SOMEWHAT
DELAYED IN IT/S SOUTHWARD PLUNGE. THIS ALLOWS TRACK OF SURFACE
SYSTEM TO BE FARTHER NORTH AND WEST THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT. INITIAL
OVERRUNNING PCPN SHIELD WILL SPREAD IN FROM THE SOUTHWEST THIS
MORNING. GIVEN CURRENT TEMPS ALONG THE SOUTHERN TIER AND LOWER SUSQ
VALLEY...PCPN MAY START AS A BRIEF PERIOD OF RAIN OR MIX OF RAIN AND
SNOW. WITH TIME...AS THE LOW MOVES TO THE COAST...A VERY IMPRESSIVE
(35+ KNOT) CONVERGENT MID LEVEL FLOW DEVELOPS WITH ABUNDANT ATLANTIC
TAP. THIS FEATURE REMAINS NEARLY STEADY STATE INTO MONDAY...BEFORE
THE UPPER LOW CAPTURES THE COASTAL SYSTEM AND FINALLY MOVES EAST.

850 TEMP PROFILES SHOW SIGNIFICANT COOLING POCKET ACROSS CENTRAL
PA...ASSOCIATED WITH THE STRONG DYNAMIC COOLING WHICH IS EXPECTED
WITH THE SYSTEM.

MODEL QPF/S NOW PRETTY MUCH IN LINE...WITH 1.75 TO 2.00 ACROSS MUCH
OF THE INTERIOR AND EASTERN CWA. STILL WILL HEDGE AMOUNTS DOWN
SOMEWHAT FOR THE FAR NORTHWEST...BUT BASICALLY WILL CONTINUE
WARNINGS WITH TOTAL ACCUMS OVER A FOOT MENTIONED.

SOME CONCERN FOR THE LOWER SUSQ VALLEY. MODEL SOUNDINGS WOULD
SUPPORT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF SLEET DURING THE OVERNIGHT AS 800 MB
TEMPS NOSE A FEW DEGREES ABOVE FREEZING. WILL NOT TOTALLY DISCOUNT
THE SNOW OVERNIGHT...BUT WILL TRIM AMOUNTS AND MENTION A MIX OF SNOW
AND SLEET FOR THE SOUTHEAST. THIS CORRESPONDS WELL TO NEWEST HPC
GRAPHICS.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE INTO MONDAY...WITH NORTHEAST COUNTIES GETTING THE
LION/S SHARE. EXPECT HEAVIEST SNOW SWATH WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE
TO FAN OUT IN A WEDGE SHAPED PATTERN. ON THE NORTH...FROM AOO TO
TIOGA COUNTY...AND ON THE SOUTH FROM AOO TO SCHUYLKILL CO.

WILL HAVE TO WATCH FOR WINDY/BLOWING SNOW CONDITIONS TO DEVELOP
MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY. ALL IN ALL...A VERY WINTRY 48+ HOURS IN
STORE FOR CTP CWA.

DETAILED BLAST UP CALL HAS PROVIDED GOOD COORDINATION WITH ALL
SURROUNDING OFFICES. HOWEVER...NOW RUNNING LATE. WILL SEND WORK
ZONES CLOSE TO 4 AM...WITH FINAL PRODUCT OUT AROUND 415.

.CTP...WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THIS AFTERNOON INTO MONDAY FOR
       NORTHERN THIRD OF CWA.
       WINTER STORM WARNING TODAY INTO MONDAY REST OF CWA.

JUNG

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

33 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Northern Centre

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Centre forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.919, -77.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Northern Clinton

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Clinton forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.234, -77.638 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Northern Lycoming

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Lycoming forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.343, -77.064 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Northumberland

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Northumberland forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.852, -76.709 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Perry

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Perry forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.398, -77.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Potter

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Potter forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.745, -77.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Schuylkill

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Schuylkill forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.706, -76.216 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Snyder

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Snyder forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.770, -77.070 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Somerset

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Somerset forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 39.972, -79.028 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Southern Centre

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Centre forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.919, -77.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Southern Clinton

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Clinton forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.234, -77.638 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Southern Lycoming

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Lycoming forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.343, -77.064 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Sullivan

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Sullivan forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.446, -76.512 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Tioga

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Tioga forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.772, -77.254 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Union

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Union forecast zone
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.963, -77.062 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Warren

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.815, -79.274 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Low pressure moving up from the Tennessee Valley spread snow into central Pennsylvania early on the morning of March 4th. The snow tapered off to flurries and drizzle during the evening hours of the 4th, leaving much of central and western sections of WFO CTP forecast area with 3 to 6 inches of snow. In the far southeast, the snow was mixed with rain and sleet as it fell. During the evening of the 4th, another round of snow developed over western portions of the area, leaving an additional 3 to 8 inches of snow by the morning of March 5th. Again, far southern portions of the Lower Susquehanna Valley were warm enough for mostly rain to fall. On the 5th, a strong coastal low developed which brought more significant snow to the far northeast and the Laurel Highlands. Snow from this slow moving coastal storm lasted into the early morning hours of March 7th. Storm snowfall totals ranged from an inch or two of wet snow and sleet over York, Lancaster, and Lebanon counties, to 12 to 15 inches across the northern tier and 15 to 20 inches over the Laurel Highland counties of Cambria and Somerset.Although impact from the storm was far reaching, little in the way of damage was reported. There were several automobile accidents reported throughout the region, with several injuries. Many businesses and schools were closed on March 5th. Airports cancelled or delayed many flights.

Heavy Snow, Adams

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 39.872, -77.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Bedford

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Bedford forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.007, -78.490 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Blair

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Blair forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.481, -78.349 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Cambria

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Cambria forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.495, -78.714 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Cameron

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Cameron forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.437, -78.204 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Clearfield

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Clearfield forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.000, -78.474 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Columbia

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Columbia forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.049, -76.405 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Cumberland

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Cumberland forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.164, -77.266 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Dauphin

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Dauphin forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.415, -76.779 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Elk

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Elk forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.425, -78.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Franklin

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 39.927, -77.721 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Fulton

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Fulton forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 39.925, -78.113 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Huntingdon

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Huntingdon forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.417, -77.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Juniata

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Juniata forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.531, -77.402 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, McKean

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: McKean forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.808, -78.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Mifflin

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Mifflin forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.610, -77.617 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Montour

When: March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 7, 4:00 AM EST
Where: Montour forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.028, -76.659 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2001 Every state in 2001 This day in weather history Warnings in Pennsylvania, March 2001

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5234491, 5234492, 5234493, 5234494, 5234495, 5234496, 5234497, 5234498, 5234499, 5234500, 5234501, 5234502, 5234503, 5234504, 5234505, 5234757, 5234758, 5234759, 5234760, 5234761, 5234762, 5234763, 5234764, 5234765, 5234766, 5234767, 5234768, 5234769, 5234770, 5234771, 5234772, 5234773, 5234774.