Blizzard — Northern Wayne, Pennsylvania

2018-03-02 · Northern Wayne, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Snowfall combined with winds frequently gusting over 35 mph to create blizzard conditions. The winds were strongest during the afternoon and evening of the 2nd. There were trees knocked down along with power outages and considerable blowing and drifting snow. Whiteout conditions were common. Total snowfall ranged up to 20 inches.

Wider weather episode

A complex area of low pressure tracked from the Ohio Valley and southeast United States from the afternoon of the 1st and intensified into a major winter storm over Long Island by the morning of the 2nd. This intense winter storm remained nearly stationary until the late evening of the 2nd. The storm brought rain at first to northeast Pennsylvania during the overnight hours the 2nd, which changed to snow by sunrise on the 2nd. The snow fell heavy at times through the day on the 2nd. High winds combined with the heavy snow in the afternoon leading to blizzard conditions in Wayne and Pike Counties of Pennsylvania. Winds were gusting to 50 mph. The rest of northeast Pennsylvania saw near blizzard conditions during this time. The snow tapered down in the evening as the winds continued to cause near whiteout conditions, knocking down numerous trees and power lines from Wayne to Pike Counties. There was an estimated 42,000 customers without power, especially in the Poconos. Power was out in some areas for more than one week. During the height of the storm, both Interstates 81 and 84 were closed. Snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 16 inches with up to 20 inches in Pike County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 747899. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.