High Wind and Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, December 23 to 24, 2022

Name: High Wind and Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, December 23 to 24, 2022
Start: 2022-12-23T04:00
End: 2022-12-24T12:00
Location: Pennsylvania

December 23 to 24, 2022 · NWS PBZ · 45 events in 17 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 42 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 45

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 happened

The episode as NWS PBZ wrote it up.

A low pressure system rapidly intensified December 22nd to December 23rd as the center of the low moved from the Midwest across the Great Lakes. A flash freeze, strong wind gusts, and dangerously cold temperatures were recorded across the region. Record low maximum temperatures were broken at several climate sites. Widespread power outages were noted by utility companies, isolated areas experienced internal damage from frozen pipes, and hazardous travel was noted due to a flash freeze (rain quickly changed to snow) with rapidly dropping temperatures.

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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 23, 1:46 AM EST, 2 hours 14 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 23, 1:46 AM EST, 2 hours 14 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
146 AM EST Fri Dec 23 2022

.SYNOPSIS...
Low pressure will bring snow today along with very cold and
blustery conditions through the holiday weekend.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...
Latest surface analysis shows the cold front associated with the
well advertised low pressure system that has impacted much of
the CONUS currently moving into eastern Ohio zones. Upstream
observations on average have shown about a 40F drop over 6hrs
after frontal passage with wind gusts between 30-40kts. Steep
low-level lapse rates with strong cold advection aloft will
maintain these strong winds throughout the day with gusts of
50mph in the lower elevations and 60 to 65mph possible in the
ridges. No changes are needed to the ongoing wind warning and
advisory at this time.

With the sudden drop in temperatures, a flash freeze still looks
likely and will create hazardous travel with wet roads from
earlier precipitation and snow behind the front. In addition to
possible flash freeze conditions, strong frontogenesis along
the front could result in a relatively intense snow band
advancing west to east during the morning commute. This along
with the strong winds could result in sudden drops in
visibility. At this time, upstream automated observations
average between 1 and 0.5 miles, but there are definitely lower
amounts with the snow and blowing snow looking at upstream
webcams. Even though overall amounts are not forecast to exceed
3 inches, travel impacts are likely going to be significant this
morning. Hazardous travel may continue into the afternoon with
blowing snow. The ongoing Winter Weather Advisory covers this
threat.

Additionally, the infiltrating arctic air along with strong
winds will result in wind chill values ranging between -20F to
-30F over the course of the day, and as low as -35 to -40F in
 higher elevations. The ongoing Wind Chill Warning Warning
 remains in effect through Saturday morning at lower elevations
 and Sunday morning at higher elevations.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH 6 PM SATURDAY/...
Wind chills will continue to be very dangerous tonight into
Saturday morning with values across the region below
-25F. There is still the potential to see -40F in eastern
 CL/HefferanTucker. The last time Pittsburgh observed wind
 chills in the
-20F range was January 30-31 2019.

The Arctic air mass will linger into Saturday afternoon. Wind
Chill headlines may end for the lower terrain if values rise
above -10F. In the ridges, headlines for significant cold
temperatures will likely be ongoing.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Bitter cold temperatures will continue Saturday night into
Sunday (Christmas Day) as the Ohio River Valley remains centered
under a deep elongated trough. Boundary layer temperatures from
-20C to -25C are still likely and have been consistent with each
 passing GEFS run. A new potential record LowMax could be broken
 at Wheeling, WV (current record: 17F from 2000). Please see
 climate section below for more details. Wind chill headlines
 will likely be ongoing for the ridges as values linger near
 -25F. Sustain wind speeds and gusts will diminish early Sunday
 morning as the pressure gradient associated the upper-level low
 weakens.

For the snow situation, light snow could continue within weak
passing shortwaves. However, a majority of the snow impacts will
be focused near the Great Lakes. With winds prevailing from the
west as the upper-level centers to our northeast, a lake effect
band will be oriented east/west and impact Buffalo,NY opposed
to I-80.

Temperatures will gradually increase early next week, however
remain below freezing through Wednesday. For the New Years
Eve/New Years Day period, long term models are trending on a
warmer pattern. Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Temperature
Outlook even has high confidence at warmer than average
temperatures. Mean 500mb wind depicts a slow moving ridge
centered over the northern Great Lakes, thus the higher
temperatures. It is quite possible that New Year's day could be
30F warmer than Christmas.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Widespread IFR cigs/vis are expected through this afternoon. A
rapid changeover from rain to snow with the crossing front is
expected by around 12z. Southwesterly winds in excess of 30 kts
are then expected through much of the period, which will lead to
blowing snow even as snow showers taper off through the morning
(afternoon for FKL/DUJ). With rapid temperature drop, flash
freezing is expected through post-dawn hours in conjunction
with reduced visibility in heavier snow showers.

Conditions will begin to improve later this afternoon as snow
showers become more scattered. Cigs will begin to lift this
evening, but strong wind gusts will remain a concern through the
end of the period.

.OUTLOOK....
Closed low pressure across the Great Lakes will maintain
widespread restrictions in snow showers, cigs, and strong wind
gusts through the holiday weekend.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Several climate sites have the potential to set new record low
maximum temperature for Christmas Eve (December 24th):

                   Record                  Dec 24th
Site               Low Max     Year      Forecast Max
----------------------------------------------------
Pittsburgh Intl      13        1983          11
Zanesville           13        1983          11
Morgantown           15        1983          13
Wheeling             17        1906          11
New Philadelphia     11        1960          11

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Saturday for PAZ007>009-013>016-
     020>023-029-031-073-075.
     Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for
     PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023-029-031-073>076.
     Wind Chill Warning from 6 AM this morning to noon EST Saturday
     for PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023-029-031-073-075.
     High Wind Warning until 7 AM EST Saturday for PAZ074-076.
     Wind Chill Warning from 6 AM this morning to noon EST Sunday
     for PAZ074-076.
OH...Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Saturday for OHZ039>041-048>050-
     057>059-068-069.
     Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for
     OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069.
     Wind Chill Warning from 6 AM this morning to noon EST Saturday
     for OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069.
WV...Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Saturday for WVZ001>004-012-021-
     509.
     Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for
     WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514.
     Wind Chill Warning from 6 AM this morning to noon EST Saturday
     for WVZ001>004-012-021-509.
     High Wind Warning until 7 AM EST Saturday for WVZ510>514.
     Wind Chill Warning from 6 AM this morning to noon EST Sunday
     for WVZ510>514.

&&

SYNOPSIS...88
NEAR TERM...88
SHORT TERM...88
LONG TERM...Hefferan
AVIATION...Rackley
CLIMATE...CL/Hefferan

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 22, 12:50 PM EST, 15 hours 10 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1250 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022

OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>022-029-
031-073-075-WVZ001>004-012-021-509-231800-
Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH-
Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Mercer-Venango-Forest-
Lawrence-Butler-Clarion-Jefferson PA-Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong-
Washington-Greene-Westmoreland-Fayette-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-
Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
1250 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST SATURDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON EST
SATURDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, western
Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Wind Advisory.
   Winter Weather Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Wind Advisory.
   Winter Weather Advisory.
   Wind Chill Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

WVZ514-231800-
Eastern Tucker-
1250 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST
SATURDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON EST
SUNDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Winter Storm Warning.
   High Wind Warning.
   Winter Weather Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Winter Weather Advisory.
   Wind Chill Warning.

A winter storm will move through the region Friday, and bring rain
then snow, followed by extremely cold temperatures and elevated wind
gusts. Possible impacts include travel delays, power outage, wind
damage, frostbite.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

PAZ074-076-WVZ510>513-231800-
Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Higher Elevations of Fayette-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-
1250 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST
SATURDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON EST
SUNDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Pennsylvania and
northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Winter Weather Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Winter Weather Advisory.
   Wind Chill Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

PAZ023-231800-
Indiana-
1250 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST SATURDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON EST
SATURDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Wind Advisory.
   Winter Weather Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Wind Advisory.
   Winter Weather Advisory.
   Wind Chill Warning.

A winter storm will move through the region on Friday, and bring
rain then snow, followed by extremely cold temperatures and elevated
wind gusts. Possible impacts include travel delays, power outage,
wind damage, frostbite.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 winter weather, 17 cold/wind chill, 8 strong wind, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Allegheny

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Allegheny forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.469, -79.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 4:00am and 8am in Allegheny County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Armstrong

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Armstrong forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.812, -79.464 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 6:00am and 8:30am in Armstrong County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Beaver

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Beaver forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.682, -80.349 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 4:30am and 8:00am in Beaver County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Butler

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.912, -79.913 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 5:00am and 8:00am in Butler County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Clarion

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Clarion forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.192, -79.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 6:30am and 9am in Clarion County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. Less than an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Fayette

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.920, -79.647 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 5:30am and 8am in Fayette County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. Less than an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Fayette Ridges

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Fayette Ridges forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.920, -79.647 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Forest

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Forest forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.513, -79.236 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 7:00am and 10am in Forest County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Greene

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.854, -80.223 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 5am and 7:30am in Greene County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Indiana

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Indiana forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 6am and 9:30am in Indiana County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Jefferson

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.128, -78.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 6:30am and 9:30am in Jefferson County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Lawrence

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Lawrence forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.991, -80.334 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 4:30am and 7:30am in Lawrence County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Mercer

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Mercer forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.302, -80.258 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 4:30am and 8am in Mercer County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

High Wind, Allegheny

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Allegheny forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.469, -79.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High wind gusts accompanied a strong low pressure system on December 23rd and continue into December 24th. Measured wind gusts across western PA ranged between 40 to 50mph, sustain winds exceed 30mph. Isolated power outages occurred. A 59mph wind gust was measured near Bellefield, PA in Allegheny County. Allegheny Airport also gusted to 56mph.

Strong Wind, Armstrong

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Armstrong forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 40.812, -79.464 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Beaver

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Beaver forecast zone
Measured: 41 kt (47 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 40.682, -80.349 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Butler

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.912, -79.913 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Clarion

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Clarion forecast zone
Measured: 42 kt (48 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.192, -79.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Fayette

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Measured: 42 kt (48 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 39.920, -79.647 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Mercer

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Mercer forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.302, -80.258 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 4:30am and 7:30am in Mercer County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Venango

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Venango forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.401, -79.758 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 4:30am and 7:30am in Venago County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Washington

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.189, -80.248 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 4:30am and 7:30am in Washington County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Westmoreland

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Westmoreland forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.311, -79.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A flash freeze created hazardous travel early Friday, December 23th, with a strong cold front. Temperatures dropped from the mid-40s to the single digits between 5:30am and 9:00am in Westmoreland County. Precipitation started as rain and quickly switched to snow with the passage of the front. About an inch of snow fell by 7am on the December 23rd.

Winter Weather, Westmoreland Ridges

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Westmoreland Ridges forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.311, -79.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Forest

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Forest forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 41.513, -79.236 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Greene

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 39.854, -80.223 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Indiana

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Indiana forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS

High wind gusts accompanied a strong low pressure system on December 23rd and continue into December 24th. Measured wind gusts across western PA ranged between 45 to 65mph, sustain winds exceed 40mph. Isolated power outages occurred.

Strong Wind, Jefferson

When: December 23, 4:00 AM EST to December 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.128, -78.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High wind gusts accompanied a strong low pressure system on December 23rd and continue into December 24th. Measured wind gusts across western PA ranged between 40 to 55mph, sustain winds exceed 35mph. Isolated power outages occurred.

Cold/Wind Chill, Allegheny

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Allegheny forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.469, -79.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dangerous wind chills accompanied a low pressure system on December 23th. Lowest wind chill values occurred early afternoon on December 23rd, temperatures were below zero and gusts were 30 to 35mph. Minimum wind chill values across western PA were near -30F.

Cold/Wind Chill, Armstrong

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Armstrong forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 40.812, -79.464 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Beaver

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Beaver forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.682, -80.349 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Butler

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.912, -79.913 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Clarion

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Clarion forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.192, -79.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Fayette

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.920, -79.647 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Fayette Ridges

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Fayette Ridges forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.920, -79.647 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Forest

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Forest forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 41.513, -79.236 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Greene

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 39.854, -80.223 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Indiana

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Indiana forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways

Cold/Wind Chill, Jefferson

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.128, -78.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Lawrence

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Lawrence forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.991, -80.334 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Mercer

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Mercer forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.302, -80.258 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Venango

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Venango forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.401, -79.758 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Washington

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.189, -80.248 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Westmoreland

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Westmoreland forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.311, -79.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Westmoreland Ridges

When: December 23, 8:00 AM EST to December 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Westmoreland Ridges forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 40.311, -79.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Cold/Wind Chill: Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in Pennsylvania, December 2022

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: 1069274, 1069275, 1069276, 1069277, 1069278, 1069279, 1069280, 1069281, 1069282, 1069283, 1069284, 1069285, 1069286, 1071089, 1071090, 1071091, 1071092, 1071093, 1071094, 1071278, 1071279, 1071280, 1071282, 1071283, 1071284, 1071286, 1071287, 1071288, 1069244, 1069245, 1069246, 1069247, 1069248, 1069249, 1069250, 1069251, 1069252, 1069253, 1069254, 1069255, and more.