Lake-Effect Snow — Elk, Pennsylvania

2024-12-05 to 2024-12-06 · Elk, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Snow began during the early afternoon of December 4th, and continued into the evening. This snow was generally light, with snowfall totals under 2 inches reported across Elk County. After a break in the snowfall overnight, lake effect snow began to fall during the early morning hours of Thursday, December 5th. The snow continued to fall periodically through the early afternoon on Friday, December 6th. Snow totals across much of Elk County ranged from 2 to 4 inches, though 6.5 inches of snow was reported near the town of Force.

Wider weather episode

Snowfall began during the early morning hours of December 5, 2024 across the northern tier with warm air advection within an enhanced low level jet ahead of a cold frontal passage beginning to overspread snowfall across central Pennsylvania. Enhanced frontogenetic forcing and instability in the lower levels allowed for some snow squalls to form across the Laurel Highlands and Middle Susquehanna Valley, with some snow bands continuing into the Lower Susquehanna during the morning commute. Northwesterly flow behind the cold frontal passage allowed for lingering lake effect snow showers across portions of northwestern Pennsylvania, with heavy lake effect snow continuing through December 6th. A snow squall along Interstate 80 in southern Clinton County caused a multi-vehicle accident with 10 tractor trailers and 3 to 4 passenger vehicles, closing the roadway for multiple hours and injuring two motorists.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1224218. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.