January 2004 PA Weather Summary

1/1 – 1/3

Dry air lingering across Pennsylvania came to an end as a surge of warm moist air from the gulf leaked into the area, providing moisture for a light rain event on January 2nd. 

1/4 – 1/6

On the 4th, a strong cold front passed through the Commonwealth, converting rain to the more solid persuasion of ice and snow in the northwest regions of PA. More cold air provided the state with the push needed to force temperatures below the freezing line, where they stayed for nearly the entire month. 

1/7-1/13

After the Arctic air mass began to settle into the area, bitter lows began to spring up in a few cities in the north, Kane seeing a low of -18 degrees (F).  The normal flow of cold air from Canada continued on, with nothing more interesting than extreme lows to report during this period.

1/14 – 1/16

A strong low pressure moving through Canada coalesced into our familiar friend the Alberta Clipper.  Starting the 14th and moving into the 15th, the system managed to drop up to 8 inches of snow in some areas. 

1/17-1/18

Yet another round of snow decided to take a stroll through PA on the 17th, dropping anywhere from 3-5 inches of snow; matting down the previous layers of snow, providing for a nice lift to the unplowed scenery.  Lake effect snow began its long and arduous task of making areas like Erie into a white beacon from the sky, starting the unceasing flow of snow as cold air moved over the lakes from the north.

1/19 –1/23

More scattered snow showers dusted the region during this period, choosing rather random moments to set down a fresh sheet of white.  Cold temperatures persisted, making it rather difficult to even break 20 degrees (F).

1/24-1/27

Yet another snow event riding the eastern coastline struck the area, dumping yet more layers onto the already deepening strata on sidewalks and lawns on the 24th.  Some areas saw up to 4 inches during this storm.

1/28-1/29

A change in the flow pattern leaned the perpetual trough a bit to the west, allowing for some moderately higher temperatures to squeak into the state, temperatures exceeding 30 degrees (F) were even seen in some areas.  Unfortunately, with the high temperatures came moist conditions and, you guessed it, yet another snow storm.  This one dropped up to a max of 11 inches in Laughlintown, most areas only seeing around 9 to 10 inches.  

1/30-1/31

The end of the month saw temperatures moderating to an extent and preparation for yet another storm coming up from the east that would put even more snow on the ground in early February.  All and all it was a rather white month with temperatures that could easily freeze small animals had they not found various warm places to inhabit.

Preliminary Statewide Daily Extremes

- Brandon Katz