An early season, high-impact, winter storm delivered heavy, wet snow to southern and eastern sections of the CWA on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The snow began just after midnight and ended during the evening, leaving a widespread 3 to 8 inches of accumulation with as much as 10 to 12 inches reported over many higher elevations and ridge tops. Despite snowfall rates between 1-2 per hour with convective enhancement in heavier bands, marginally-cold air temperatures in the low to mid 30s combined with warm road/ground temperatures and wetness of the snow reduced accumulations in some areas particularly in the central and southern valleys. Like most early-season snow events, elevation played a significant role in storm total accumulations.
A 1010mb low pressure system centered near the Carolina coast during the predawn hours rapidly intensified to as it moved northward just offshore the Mid-Atlantic coast. The storm became a classic Nor'easter and deepened to 984mb as it passed east of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The strengthening low produced wind gusts between 20-30 mph over eastern Pennsylvania and gusts near hurricane force over the open ocean waters near the southern New England coast and Gulf of Maine.
In most locations in central Pennsylvania, observed snowfall accumulations set all-time daily and monthly snowfall records for October. The heavy, wet snow produced widespread damage to trees and utility wires. This resulted in more than a half-million (520,000) power outages state-wide at the height of the storm. Warming shelters were opened to accommodate the power outages. Several secondary roads were closed due to the downed trees and wires. The weight of the snow (snow to liquid ratios generally less than 10:1) along with remaining leaf foliage contributed to the significant tree damage. There was one indirect storm-related death in Conewago Township, York County.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN LYCOMING, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN CENTRE, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 03:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN CLINTON, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN CENTRE, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 03:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 7 inches.

Heavy Snow in CLEARFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 03:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in MIFFLIN, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 04:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in UNION, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in SNYDER, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in JUNIATA, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 04:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in PERRY, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 06:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in CUMBERLAND, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 06:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in SCHUYLKILL, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 4 to 8 inches.

Heavy Snow in BLAIR, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches with local amounts over 10 inches on the ridgetops.

Heavy Snow in COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in FULTON, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches with local amounts over 10 inches on the ridgetops.

Heavy Snow in SULLIVAN, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 08:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 4 to 8 inches. A 93 year-old woman was found dead in her home by a neighbor. The woman lived on Big Creek Road in Conewago Township. The house was without power.

Heavy Snow in FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches with local amounts over 10 inches on the ridgetops.

Heavy Snow in MONTOUR, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in HUNTINGDON, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches with local amounts over 10 inches on the ridgetops.

Heavy Snow in NORTHUMBERLAND, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in ADAMS, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches with local amounts over 10 inches on the ridgetops.

Heavy Snow in LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 4 to 8 inches.

Heavy Snow in SOMERSET, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 00:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 8 to 12 inches across the Laurel Highlands.

Heavy Snow in DAUPHIN, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 4 to 8 inches.

Heavy Snow in CAMBRIA, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 00:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 8 to 12 inches across the Laurel Highlands.

Heavy Snow in LEBANON, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 10:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 4 to 8 inches.

Heavy Snow in BEDFORD, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-OCT-11 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-11 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow accumulations ranged from 5 to 10 inches.