Heavy Snow — Adams, Pennsylvania

2026-01-24 to 2026-01-25 · Adams, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Heavy snow and sleet fell from the late evening of January 24 through the late evening of January 25, with much of Adams County seeing 6 to 8 inches of snow. Amounts as high as 10 inches were reported near Abbotstown.

Wider weather episode

A trough stationed over western Pennsylvania during the early morning hours with ample moisture and lift allowed for snowfall to begin across much of western Pennsylvania during the late evening hours of January 24th and the early morning hours of January 25, 2026. Moderate-to-heavy snowfall rates were observed at onset with low-level frontogenesis allowing for a moderate snowfall band across portions of western Pennsylvania prior to sunrise. Ample moisture in place with an approaching area of low pressure from the Lower Ohio River Valley also allowed for snowfall to begin across portions of southeastern Pennsylvania ahead of sunrise on January 25th. The progressive movement of the aforementioned trough and low pressure system allowed for a shorter duration of snowfall than could have occurred, with snowfall gradually tapering off across much of the area by the evening hours of January 26th. Westerly flow in the wake of the system did allow for continued upslope snow showers across the western highlands, which continued to allow for additional accumulations. Much of central Pennsylvania observed heavy snowfall, with Harrisburg International Airport and Williamsport Regional Airport breaking daily snowfall records, which have been tracked since 1888 and 1895, respectively.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1304773. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.