While many people in Pennsylvania dream of a white Christmas, Northwest PA exists in its own world. It receives an average of 8–13 feet of snow per year and occasionally more than Philadelphia. Last winter, some reports in Edinboro reached over 200″, while Philadelphia saw less than 10″.
It’s no surprise, especially in Northwest Pennsylvania, that we’re talking about snow on Thanksgiving. For the rest of us, it’s simply a cold and windy day.
Lake effect snow will begin around midday Thursday in Northwest Pennsylvania, with some snow showers spreading to North Central PA. Currently, bands will be migrating easterly.
Moderate to heavy lake effect snow will continue throughout Thursday evening in Northwest PA. Travel will become hazardous after sundown Thursday. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, road crews may be scarce.
As we head into Friday AM, winds will shift WNW, pushing the greatest lake effect bands all the way to NEPA’s Endless Mountains. Much of Route 6 between Tioga and the Ohio border will be slick.
At the end of this event, winds will change northwesterly, resulting in snow showers along US-422 in Western PA and the Laurel Highlands.