Sudden Snow Chaos: What Went Down in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania faced a sudden snow squall on Friday afternoon, causing chaos for over 2 million people. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning at 2:45 p. m. ET, which was initially set to expire by 3:15 p. m. However, the warning was extended until 4 p. m. due to the worsening conditions. The snow squall brought heavy snowfall, reduced visibility, and slowed traffic. The NWS advised people to stay in their vehicles if caught in the squall, warning of serious injuries and deaths if they exited their cars. The warning also emphasized that wet roadways would quickly freeze, leading to black ice and dangerous driving conditions.The impacted areas included central and northeastern Allegheny County, northwestern Washington County, and several other counties. Major highways such as Parkway North, Interstate 79, Interstate 376, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike were affected, with specific mile markers mentioned in the warning. The sudden snow squall was part of a larger weather system that brought strong winds and gusty conditions to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. The NWS office in State College, Pennsylvania, warned that snow showers, strong winds, and plunging temperatures could affect the afternoon and evening commute. People in the impacted areas were urged to monitor local weather forecasts and be prepared to act quickly. The warning highlighted the importance of staying safe during sudden weather changes and emphasized the potential dangers of exiting vehicles during a snow squall.