A strong cold front crossed Pennsylvania during the early morning hours of March 12, 2022. A few rain showers accompanied the front across the area, and then a wave of low pressure developed along the front as it slowly pulled east of central Pennsylvania.
Every event with a place to put it; 29 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS CTP wrote it up.
A strong cold front crossed Pennsylvania during the early morning hours of March 12, 2022. A few rain showers accompanied the front across the area, and then a wave of low pressure developed along the front as it slowly pulled east of central Pennsylvania. As steadier precipitation arrived, colder air arrived behind the front and changed the rain over to snow from northwest to southeast across the area into the mid-morning of March 12. A relatively short-lived period of moderate to heavy snow produced widespread 4 to 6 inches of snow, with localized amounts approaching 10 inches. Gusty northwest winds resulted in considerable blowing snow and reduced visibilities for many locations by the afternoon of March 12, as low pressure continued northeastward and rapidly intensified off the New England coast.
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 11, 10:48 PM EST, 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 1048 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2022 .SYNOPSIS... A low pressure system developing to our south will bring a significant snowfall to most of the area tonight and Saturday. A quick moving clipper may bring an additional, quick snowfall for Sunday. Temperatures moderate and the weather quiets for the beginning of next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... Weather conditions will deteriorate quickly early tonight across the Northwest third of the state, throughout the Central Ridge and Valley Region well after midnight, and acrs the Lower Susq Valley around daybreak (give or take an hour). Rain will spread northeast across the region overnight near and just in the wake of the sfc cold front prior to the mix with and changeover to snow. Strong dynamics aloft associated with distinct speed maxes within the phasing northern and southern streams will briefly couple and enhance UVVEL on a mesoscale level...especially across the Central and SE zones of our CWA during the mid to late morning hours as the southern stream jet segment strengthens and the elongated sfc low over the Delmarva Coast consolidates and deepens to under 990 mb just east of the NJ coast by 15Z Sat. Without any appreciable amount of low-mid level contribution of Atlantic Moisture being advected back over the frontal boundary it will be difficult to get over 6 inches in many of the valley locations in central and eastern PA where the ground will be initially warm from Friday's maxes in the 50s, and a downsloping, drying low-level flow developing in the cold air as the main dynamic forcing spreads across the region. Our hourly and storm total snowfall grids will contain a significant amount of elevation dependency as is usually associated with borderline/changeover events in mid March. A few to several hour period of snowfall rates of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour will provide the bulk of the snow from this event. If anything, forecast snowfall amounts could be up to one inch on the high side across the Central Valleys and portions of the NW Mountains outside of the typical, significant Lake Effect influence. Snowfall rates could be around 2"/hour between 12-15Z Sat across the far SE zones, but temps will stay the warmest overnight there, so most of that accum initially will occur on grassy sfcs. Forecast snow accums could be an inch or so on the low side SE of a KTHV to KLNS line if the heavier snow persists just 30-60 minutes longer than expected. Overnight low temps will vary from the mid teens across the far NW to between 32-35F in the SE corner of the CWA. Temps Sat will only rise 3-5 deg F and those highs will occur after the steadier snow departs to the east of the Susq Valley during the early to mid afternoon hours. Flurries and scattered mtn snow showers will linger in the afternoon with NW wind gusts exceeding 40 mph in the afternoon creating blowing and drifting snow and wind chills ranging from zero to 5 above across the Northern and Western Mtns to the teens in the Susq Valley. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT/... Look for a cold Saturday night and continued windy for the first half of the night as 850 temps approach -20C, quite impressive for mid March. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... A quick moving clipper system may bring an additional quick- hitting light snowfall for the northern tier and western mountain on Sunday. Temperatures stay below normal on Sunday for this time of year but rebound to seasonable temperatures by Monday. Temperatures stay mild all week with a much more springtime weather pattern. The next significant weather system looks to arrive around March 18 or 19th per the latest GEFS. It will be mild with rain expected with that. && .AVIATION /04Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... A winter storm will continue to spread across the region overnight into early Saturday, with an increase and lowering of cloud ceilings to IFR and light snow already impacting western PA along a line from PIT/DUJ/BFD at 0330z. These conditions will expand eastward as the night progresses, with a period of heavier snow later tonight into mid/late Sat morning reducing most terminals to near minimums for several hours. Marginal LLWS will impact mainly in the Lower Susq valley ahead of the main frontal boundary as it comes through overnight. Behind the front, sfc winds will turn NW and become gusty as colder air rushes in, bringing increasing wind gusts toward dawn. Snow continues through the first half of Saturday with a drop to IFR and occasionally LIFR but improving by 18Z, especially as downslope flow begins over the SE half. Winds continue to increase and become quite windy with frequent gusts that will peak between 35-45 mph Saturday along with some blowing snow, especially in open areas. Outlook... Sun...Restrictions possible in lake-enhanced snow showers at KBFD/KJST, with generally VFR elsewhere. Breezy. Mon...VFR anticipated. Tue...MVFR possible NW, VFR elsewhere. Wed...VFR. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until 5 PM EST Saturday for PAZ006-012- 018-037-041-042. Winter Storm Warning until 5 PM EST Saturday for PAZ004-005- 010-011-017-024-033. Winter Storm Warning from 4 AM to 5 PM EST Saturday for PAZ019- 025>028-034-035-045-046-049>053-058. Winter Storm Warning from 5 AM to 5 PM EST Saturday for PAZ036- 056-057-059-063>066. && SYNOPSIS...Lambert/Dangelo NEAR TERM...Ross/Lambert/Dangelo SHORT TERM...Ross/Lambert/Dangelo LONG TERM...Ross/Gutierrez AVIATION...RXR/Tyburski
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 1023 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2022 PAZ036-056-057-059-063>066-130330- Franklin-Perry-Dauphin-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster- 1023 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2022 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 5 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ006-012-018-037-041-042-130330- Potter-Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Tioga-Northern Lycoming- Sullivan- 1023 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2022 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ019-025>028-034-035-045-046-049>053-058-130330- Southern Centre-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Bedford-Fulton- Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia-Schuylkill- 1023 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2022 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 5 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ004-005-010-011-017-024-033-130330- Warren-McKean-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-Cambria-Somerset- 1023 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2022 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
29 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
A winter storm produced 4 to 6 inches of snow across Cameron County in less than 12 hours during the early morning hours of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 4 to 8 inches of snow across Potter County in less than 12 hours during the early morning hours of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 9 inches of snow across northern Clinton County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 6 to 12 inches of snow across Tioga County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 6 to 9 inches of snow across northern Centre County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 6 to 9 inches of snow across northern Lycoming County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 6 to 7 inches of snow across Clearfield County in less than 12 hours during the early morning hours of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 7 to 8 inches of snow across Sullivan County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 7 inches of snow across southern Centre County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 4 to 7 inches of snow across Blair County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 4 to 7 inches of snow across Huntingdon County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced around 5 to 6 inches of snow across southern Clinton County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day. A tractor trailer jack-knifed on I-80 westbound in Lamar Township just after 8am, closing the westbound lanes for a little over an hour.
A winter storm produced around 5 to 7 inches of snow across southern Lycoming County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 4 to 7 inches of snow across Mifflin County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 4 to 7 inches of snow across Juniata County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 7 inches of snow across Union County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 7 inches of snow across Snyder County in less than 12 hours during the morning of March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 6 inches of snow across Northumberland County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 6 inches of snow across Montour County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 6 inches of snow across Columbia County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 7 inches of snow across Schuylkill County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022. This snow was accompanied and followed by winds gusting over 40 mph, which caused continued blowing and drifting snow through the day.
A winter storm produced 5 to 7 inches of snow across Perry County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022.
A winter storm produced 4 to 6 inches of snow across Franklin County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022.
A winter storm produced 5 to 6 inches of snow across Cumberland County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022. A seventy-three vehicle accident occurred on the eastbound lanes of the Capital Beltway (Route 581) in Lower Allen Township, closing the eastbound lanes for over 4 hours and the westbound lakes for over 2 hours. Ten injuries were reported.
A winter storm produced 4 to 7 inches of snow across Dauphin County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022.
A winter storm produced 4 to 6 inches of snow across Lebanon County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022.
A winter storm produced 5 to 6 inches of snow across Adams County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022.
A winter storm produced 4 to 7 inches of snow across York County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022.
A winter storm produced 3 to 5 inches of snow across Lancaster County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022. An eight-vehicle accident occurred on the eastbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Lebanon Interchange (with a commercial vehicle going over an embankment), closing the eastbound lanes for over four hours. There were no reported injuries.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, March 2022
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: 1003619, 1003617, 1003620, 1003618, 1003621, 1003622, 1003624, 1003623, 1003625, 1003626, 1003627, 1003628, 1003629, 1003630, 1003631, 1003632, 1003633, 1003634, 1003635, 1003636, 1003637, 1003638, 1003639, 1003640, 1003641, 1003642, 1003643, 1003644, 1003645.