Weather
Pennsylvania Snow Records: What Winter 2026-27 Could Bring
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania has experienced extraordinary winter storms capable of dropping more than 40 inches of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations stretching from the Pocono Mounta
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-10-21T12:17:12.364Z
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania has experienced extraordinary winter storms capable of dropping more than 40 inches of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations stretching from the Pocono Mountains to western Pennsylvania. As winter 2026 27 approaches, these records demonstrate why even relatively mild winters can still produce dangerous snowfall.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Lakeville in Wayne County recorded 41 inches of snow Feb. 16, 1958, the highest one day measurement in the supplied Pennsylvania county records. Other major storms have brought exceptional snowfall to the Allegheny Mountains, southeastern Pennsylvania and communities throughout the state.
Pennsylvania's 10 Biggest Distinct Single Day Snowfall Records The following list identifies the highest measurement for each distinct date in NOAA's supplied county level records. Multiple locations reporting snowfall on the same date are grouped together rather than counted as separate events.
1. Feb. 16, 1958: Lakeville, Wayne County — 41.0 inches. Long Pond in Monroe County recorded 31 inches. 2. March 14, 1993: Seven Springs, Somerset County — 40.0 inches. Wellsboro recorded 36 inches, with several other counties reporting major snowfall. 3. March 20, 1958: Morgantown, Berks County — 38.0 inches. York recorded 32 inches. 4. Feb. 13, 1899: Coatesville, Chester County — 35.3 inches 5. Dec. 26, 2017: Erie, Erie County — 32.4 inches 6. Dec. 17, 2020: Sayre, Bradford County — 32.0 inches. Newton Ransom recorded 30.1 inches, with additional heavy snowfall across northeastern Pennsylvania. 7. March 29, 1942: Juniata House, Mifflin County — 31.0 inches. Huntingdon recorded 26 inches, while Gettysburg reported 24 inches. 8. Feb. 7, 1978: Paupack, Pike County — 30.1 inches 9. Feb. 6, 2010: Shawnee State Park, Bedford County — 30.0 inches. Westmont recorded 25 inches. 10. Jan. 8, 1996: Pine Grove Furnace, Cumberland County — 30.0 inches. Palm and several other locations reported significant snowfall. Why Pennsylvania's Snowfall Records Matter Pennsylvania's geography creates different winter weather risks across the state.
The Pocono Mountains and higher elevations of western Pennsylvania can experience intense snowfall when moisture rich air moves across mountainous terrain. Meanwhile, major coastal storms can bring substantial accumulations to Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities.
The March 1993 storm demonstrated how widespread extreme snowfall can become, with multiple counties recording extraordinary totals during the same event.
The December 2017 snowfall in Erie also illustrates the influence of Lake Erie, where lake effect snow can produce intense accumulations over relatively small areas.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? El Niño can influence winter temperatures, precipitation and storm tracks across the Northeast. However, warmer seasonal conditions do not eliminate the possibility of significant snowfall.
Cold air interacting with moisture from Atlantic storms or the Great Lakes can still produce substantial accumulations during an otherwise mild winter.
Historical records cannot predict whether winter 2026 27 will bring another record breaking storm. They do demonstrate that a single powerful weather system can create dangerous conditions regardless of the season's overall temperature trend.
For Pennsylvania residents, the message is clear: A warmer winter does not necessarily mean a winter without major snowstorms.