Christmas Ice In Pennsylvania

Some freezing rain was reported in localized areas of Pennsylvania and Maryland today, Christmas Day. I was worried when I awoke this morning and the temperature was in the mid 20's at my station here in State College! Temperatures were below freezing in a large area of the east-central section of the state, and were as low as 20 degrees.

TEMPERATURES AT 8 AM

TEMPERATURES AT 11 AM

Enough of that cold air stuck around to freeze the rain (which reached Central PA between 10 and 11 a.m.) on some surfaces.

At my house, we started the day at 23, were 32 by 10 a.m., and finally rose above freezing by 3 p.m.

I was in one of the few areas that received freezing rain. Significant ice accumulation occurred in Milesburg, Pennsylvania after 11 a.m., on power lines, trees and sidewalks. No ice on roadways was observed.

The following stations in Pennsylvania and Maryland reported frozen precipitation today:

UNKNOWN PRECIPITATION*:
Dubois - 3 p.m.
Williamsport - 11 a.m.
RDG - 10 a.m.
Hagerstown, MD - 7, 9 a.m., 12, 1 p.m.

FREEZING RAIN:
Mount Pocono, PA - 2 p.m. onwards

*Unknown precipitation is often reported by government sensors during freezing rain or sleet events.