Winter Weather — Mercer, Pennsylvania

2025-01-03 · Mercer, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Snow squall. Multi-vehicle accident on I-80 eastbound, 6 miles west of exit 15. Visibility below one-quarter mile was a contributing factor.

Wider weather episode

The passage of a shortwave trough and associated surface cold front led to a period of steady snow at first on January 3rd, followed by a period of banded snow showers and some snow squalls, with some snow lasting into the 4th. Several reports of greatly reduced visibility and traffic accidents were received as a result of the squalls.

Away from the ridges, snow totals generally ranged from 1 to 4 inches, with isolated higher totals, particularly around I-80. The Laurels and other ridge areas saw snow totals from 3 to 6 inches with isolated higher totals here as well.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1233233. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.