Winter Storm — Cumberland, Pennsylvania

2022-03-12 · Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

A winter storm produced 5 to 6 inches of snow across Cumberland County in less than 12 hours on March 12, 2022. A seventy-three vehicle accident occurred on the eastbound lanes of the Capital Beltway (Route 581) in Lower Allen Township, closing the eastbound lanes for over 4 hours and the westbound lakes for over 2 hours. Ten injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front crossed Pennsylvania during the early morning hours of March 12, 2022. A few rain showers accompanied the front across the area, and then a wave of low pressure developed along the front as it slowly pulled east of central Pennsylvania. As steadier precipitation arrived, colder air arrived behind the front and changed the rain over to snow from northwest to southeast across the area into the mid-morning of March 12. A relatively short-lived period of moderate to heavy snow produced widespread 4 to 6 inches of snow, with localized amounts approaching 10 inches. Gusty northwest winds resulted in considerable blowing snow and reduced visibilities for many locations by the afternoon of March 12, as low pressure continued northeastward and rapidly intensified off the New England coast.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1003640. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.