Winter Weather — Cumberland, Pennsylvania

2025-12-26 · Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Freezing rain accumulations near one tenth of an inch caused slick roadways in portions of Cumberland County, where the southbound lane of Interstate 81 was closed due to a multi-vehicle accident involving two tractor trailers and a passenger vehicle. Three patients were transported due to injuries, with the roadway remaining closed throughout the evening hours of December 26th.

Wider weather episode

An area of low pressure and shortwave trough stationed across the Midwest in the early morning hours of December 26, 2025 along with surface high pressure east of the region allowed for relatively cold surface temperatures with an elevated pocket of warm air across central Pennsylvania. As the trough moved further east into the region, freezing rain began across the Laurel Highlands, with a snow/sleet mix stationed further southeast where warmer air aloft was not as prevalent. The highest ice accumulations were reported in Cambria County, where 0.40 of ice accumulation was measured in Johnstown. Multiple accidents were reported across the Clearfield, Columbia, Clinton, and Cumberland counties with a total of four patients being transported due to injuries.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1302465. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.