Winter Storm to Bring Significant Snow and Rain to Pennsylvania Ahead of Thanksgiving

A powerful winter storm is set to impact Pennsylvania, bringing significant snow and rain just as the state prepares for the busy Thanksgiving travel period. Winter weather alerts have been issued from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast, including Winter Storm Watches and Winter Weather Advisories for various parts of Pennsylvania.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, a new area of low pressure forming across the Great Lakes region will rapidly develop through Thursday, bringing strong winds and cold air that will support snowfall from the Great Lakes region to the Ohio Valley, the northern mid-Atlantic, and interior Northeast. Pennsylvania is expected to see notable snowfall, particularly in the higher elevations and Upstate New York, where some areas could receive 5-8 inches of snow with higher amounts locally.

In Pennsylvania, the first flakes of the season are anticipated to fall by the end of the week. Rain may change to snow above 2000′ elevation in the Laurel Highlands and Northeast PA just before dinnertime on Thursday, and by the evening, rain should begin changing to snow down to 1000′ elevation. The Wyoming Valley and Susquehanna Valley are expected to see the changeover to snow by early Friday morning.

Snowfall projections vary across the state, with areas like the Poconos and the Laurel Highlands potentially seeing 4-8 inches of snow, leading to likely snow accumulation on roadways. Other areas, such as the Lehigh Valley, may see 2-4 inches of snow, while lower elevations may experience less significant snowfall.

The storm is part of a wetter and colder pattern heading into Thanksgiving and early December, which is beneficial given the worsening drought conditions in the region. However, it also poses challenges for travelers, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other travel authorities preparing for what could be the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record).