First Call Snowfall Forecast for Sunday’s Quick Winter Storm

Posted by By January 20, 2023

We are following two opportunities for winter weather in the coming five days, with the first being Sunday and the second on Wednesday. Sunday’s event will bring light impacts for most, with moderate impacts in parts of Northern PA. Wednesday’s storm may bring more widespread moderate impacts. For now, let’s cover Sunday.

Temperatures will be on either side of freezing Sunday afternoon, with mainly higher elevations above 1000 feet at or below 32 degrees. As a result, road impacts will be minimal in valleys, with slushy roadways possible in higher elevations.

Timing

Precipitation will push in Sunday afternoon from southwest to northeast. Snow will overspread most of the state by early Sunday evening, with the rain/snow line pushing north along I-81. Pittsburgh is a tough call, with rain likely south of the city, snow to the north, and a dividing line probably from the city and down to Latrobe. Heaviest snowfall rates are likely from State College to the Endless Mountains and into the Northern Poconos. Precipitation will exit the area late Sunday evening in the form of snow northwest of I-81, and rain southeast of I-81.

Below is future radar from the latest 3km (Hi-Res) NAM model. It’s a bit warmer than other guidance. Also, ignore the rain shown ahead of the snow Sunday afternoon, that’s just a flaw with the program.

First Call Snowfall Forecast for Sunday

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Area A: Snowfall accumulation of 3 – 5″ expected. A few slushy inches of snow may make travel difficult in higher elevations.

Area B: Snowfall accumulation of 2 – 3″ expected. Slippery travel possible in the mountains.

Area C: Snowfall accumulation of 1 – 2″ expected.

We will have a final call out for this storm Saturday evening. Like us on Facebook if you haven’t yet!

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Josh has been passionate about weather as long as his memory dates! From watching the Weather Channel at age 7, to making hand-drawn hurricane maps at age 11, starting his first weather site at 13, and founding PWA at 15 and forecasting for the state for the past 9 years, Josh's interest in weather has never dwindled! As difficult as it is, he greatly enjoys forecasting for Pennsylvania due to its countless microclimates. The state is an East Coast severe weather hotspot and nearly always home to the rain/snow line during winter storms!
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