Winter Weather — Columbia, Pennsylvania

2025-12-26 · Columbia, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Freezing rain accumulations caused slick roadways in portions of Columbia County, where the eastbound lane of Interstate 80 was closed due to a multi-vehicle accident involving one tractor trailers and two passenger vehicles. One patient was 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 1302466. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.