Final Call Snowfall Forecast for Thanksgiving Storm in PA: More Wet Than White, Cold to Follow

Getting snow on Thanksgiving is not easy, despite the significant snowstorm some areas of the state recently experienced. This storm will be more wet than white across PA, with the higher snow totals across Upstate New York and Northern New England. For us, it will be a cozy day to be inside and there won’t be much shoveling after the big meal!

A low pressure will develop in the Ohio River Valley and push northeast, directly over Pennsylvania. This will put most of the state on the warm side of the system except Northern Pennsylvania. Higher elevations in Northern PA are likely to pick up moderate snowfall.

Storm Timing

Rain and snow will begin in the early morning hours of Thursday. Snow will begin falling between 2-4 AM in the northern mountains, with beneficial rain starting to fall elsewhere during that time. Below is the HRRR model future radar for 4:00 AM Thursday.

Precipitation will continue to fall moderately into the mid morning, with snow falling in most places north of I-80 (outside the valleys). South of there, most of us will be waking up to the unusual scene of a gray and rainy day – something we have rarely seen the past few months.

Here is HRRR future radar for 8:00 AM on Thanksgiving, showing locally heavy snow particularly across Northeast PA by this time.

By noontime Thursday, precipitation will be lifting out of the state from west to east. As the low pressure moves overhead, the rain/snow line will also push north in Eastern PA. This means areas all the way to the NY state line will likely change to rain.

Below is HRRR future radar for 12:00 PM Thursday.

Total precipitation will generally range from a half-inch to an inch, mostly in the form of rainfall through the state. Slightly higher amounts in Eastern PA, whereas Western PA will be on the lower end. Here is the total precipitation anticipated from the storm.