Harrisburg, PA – Motorists traveling Interstate 81 during the upcoming holiday period may run into sudden snow bursts and fast-changing travel conditions from Saturday, December 7, through Friday, December 13, according to early guidance from the National Weather Service (NWS). Forecasters warn that several quick-moving disturbances could create unexpected delays along portions of the interstate.
According to the NWS, a series of fast-moving systems tied to the developing Alberta Clipper pattern may pass over parts of the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic next week. These disturbances can form rapidly and are often capable of producing abrupt visibility drops, quick pavement icing, and short-lived but disruptive snow bursts.
Impacts may be most noticeable along the more elevated and weather-sensitive segments of I-81, including areas near Hagerstown, MD; Martinsburg, WV; Chambersburg and Harrisburg, PA; and the stretch into central and southern New York near Binghamton and Syracuse. These locations sit in a corridor where sudden changes in terrain and wind flow can worsen road conditions during bursts of snow.
While snowfall totals are uncertain, forecasters emphasize that the main concern is not how much snow falls but how quickly conditions could deteriorate as each disturbance passes. Holiday drivers, especially during morning and evening travel windows, may experience brief but significant slowdowns.
The NWS urges travelers to monitor updated forecasts and allow extra time along the I-81 corridor throughout the December 7–13 window, as additional disturbances may develop with limited warning.
