Winter Storm Hits South-Central Pennsylvania with Heavy Snow, Arctic Chill

LANCASTER, Pa. — A winter storm swept through South-Central Pennsylvania on Sunday, bringing heavy snowfall and plunging temperatures that are expected to persist throughout the week. The WGAL News 8 Storm Team declared an Alert Day, warning residents of potentially life-threatening conditions.

The storm, which began with light snow between 9 a.m. and noon, intensified by the afternoon, with the heaviest snowfall occurring between noon and 6 p.m. Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches were reported across much of the region, with isolated areas seeing higher totals. Snowfall rates reached up to 1 inch per hour during peak periods, creating hazardous travel conditions and reduced visibility.

“The roads will become snow-covered this afternoon, and we urge everyone to exercise caution,” said a meteorologist from WGAL News 8. “If you must travel, do so early and be prepared for delays.”

A winter storm warning remained in effect until 10 p.m. for Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties. Juniata and Mifflin counties were under a winter weather advisory, with slightly lower snowfall totals expected.

As the snow tapered off between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., temperatures dropped into the teens overnight, accompanied by increasing winds that caused blowing and drifting snow. Wind chills were expected to plummet to near zero by Monday morning, with values ranging from -5 to 5 degrees.

“This is the coldest stretch we’ve seen in years,” said Mary Ellen, a meteorologist with WGAL. “We’re looking at highs in the teens and lows in the single digits for the next several days. The last time we had three consecutive days with highs below 20 degrees was in 1996.”

An extreme cold advisory was issued for Mifflin and Juniata counties, effective from Monday night through Wednesday noon. The rest of the Susquehanna Valley could see similar advisories as temperatures continue to drop. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the coldest days, with wind chills dipping below zero and daytime highs struggling to reach the mid-teens.

Residents are advised to prepare for prolonged cold, with temperatures not expected to rise above freezing until Friday. The weekend, however, promises a return to more seasonable averages, with dry conditions forecasted.