ChescoWx

Top 25 March Snowstorms for Western Chester County Pa

While March is the month that Spring begins it still brings wintry weather. While we only average about 6" of snow here in Chester County during March, we have had some of the largest storms we have ever experienced during this month. Below is the top 25 storms as recorded at Coatesville. You will note the March 18-20, 1958 storm is at the top of the list at 19" but in reality that figure was one of the lowest snow totals. This had everything to do with the changes in elevation in the County. The observations in Coatesville were taken at an elevation around 350 feet above sea level. Every 100 feet or so in additional elevation made a huge difference in snow totals. The modest increase in elevation reduced the temps just enough to produce a very heavy wet snow accumulation. This was due to temperatures at just about freezing through the entire event. As you can see in the NWS snow total map they produced back in 1958 there was a large zone of 30" to 40" and more of snow across Northwest Chester County and Southeast Berks County. This is due to elevations across much of NW Chesco at between 600ft to as much as 900 feet above sea level. In fact just across the border from here in NW Chester County at Morgantown they recorded the greatest snowfall in the history of Southeast PA with an incredible 50" of snow. The greatest officially reported total in Chester County was the 49" at Devault. Other notable amounts included the 40" at West Grove and the 36" of snow in West Chester.

While March is the month that Spring begins it still brings wintry weather. While we only average about 6" of snow here in Chester County during March, we have had some of the largest storms we have ever experienced during this month. Below is the top 25 storms as recorded at Coatesville. You will note the March 18-20, 1958 storm is at the top of the list at 19" but in reality that figure was one of the lowest snow totals. This had everything to do with the changes in elevation in the County. The observations in Coatesville were taken at an elevation around 350 feet above sea level. Every 100 feet or so in additional elevation made a huge difference in snow totals. The modest increase in elevation reduced the temps just enough to produce a very heavy wet snow accumulation. This was due to temperatures at just about freezing through the entire event. As you can see in the NWS snow total map they produced back in 1958 there was a large zone of 30" to 40" and more of snow across Northwest Chester County and Southeast Berks County. This is due to elevations across much of NW Chesco at between 600ft to as much as 900 feet above sea level. In fact just across the border from here in NW Chester County at Morgantown they recorded the greatest snowfall in the history of Southeast PA with an incredible 50" of snow. The greatest officially reported total in Chester County was the 49" at Devault. Other notable amounts included the 40" at West Grove and the 36" of snow in West Chester.

Today may be the warmest day through at least March 20th. Today we should see temps well into the 50's. Normal temps for the 1st week of March are in the mid to upper 40's across the County. We should see some much needed rain come Friday into Friday night with over an inch of rain possible. Through yesterday we are over 2 inches below normal in water equivalent precipitation this year...much of course due to our snow drought. We should see well below normal temperatures return by the middle of next week and may last for at least 10 days with even some snow chances before the end of the month. March has had some of our largest snowstorms in Chester County especially across the more elevated terrain as I will show later in a detail of some memorable late season snowstorms. Records for today: High 75 (1972) / Low 8 (1950) / Precipitation 1.18" (1994) / Snow 10.0" (1914)

Today may be the warmest day through at least March 20th. Today we should see temps well into the 50's. Normal temps for the 1st week of March are in the mid to upper 40's across the County. We should see some much needed rain come Friday into Friday night with over an inch of rain possible. Through yesterday we are over 2 inches below normal in water equivalent precipitation this year...much of course due to our snow drought. We should see well below normal temperatures return by the middle of next week and may last for at least 10 days with even some snow chances before the end of the month. March has had some of our largest snowstorms in Chester County especially across the more elevated terrain as I will show later in a detail of some memorable late season snowstorms. Records for today: High 75 (1972) / Low 8 (1950) / Precipitation 1.18" (1994) / Snow 10.0" (1914)

Mild day to start March we may see some wintry weather before a change to rain on Friday PM. Well the winter months of December-January-February finished warm as we all know - avg. temp was 37.7 degrees. In fact it was the 3rd warmest on record behind only 1932 (39.5) and 2016 (37.8 ) Jan-Feb was the 2nd warmest first 2 months of the year at 39.3 again behind only 1932. February was the 4th warmest in Chester County history at 39.1 behind only 2017 (41.3) 1909 and 2018. Precipitation wise is was the 10th driest February with only 1.42" of water equivalent the driest being the scant 0.73" that fell back in 2002. Snow wise with only 0.5" of snow for the month this was the 11th least snowy February on record with 9 years recording no snow at all during what is our snowiest average month of the year. Records for today: High 72 (1972) / Low 5 (1980) / Rain 1.45" (1954) / Snow 9.5" (1952)

Mild day to start March we may see some wintry weather before a change to rain on Friday PM. Well the winter months of December-January-February finished warm as we all know - avg. temp was 37.7 degrees. In fact it was the 3rd warmest on record behind only 1932 (39.5) and 2016 (37.8 ) Jan-Feb was the 2nd warmest first 2 months of the year at 39.3 again behind only 1932. February was the 4th warmest in Chester County history at 39.1 behind only 2017 (41.3) 1909 and 2018. Precipitation wise is was the 10th driest February with only 1.42" of water equivalent the driest being the scant 0.73" that fell back in 2002. Snow wise with only 0.5" of snow for the month this was the 11th least snowy February on record with 9 years recording no snow at all during what is our snowiest average month of the year. Records for today: High 72 (1972) / Low 5 (1980) / Rain 1.45" (1954) / Snow 9.5" (1952)

Our 7th (that's right) winter "event" is in the books. In East Nantmeal we received 0.3" of sleet/snow. Of the 7 events only 1 event on January 25th (0.8") exceeded the 1 inch mark. Clouds should hang around today with winds increasing this PM. Mild through Friday with more rain again possibly mixed with snow Thursday night into Friday. Daily Records: High 71 (1946) / Low 4 below (1934) / Precipitation 1.82" (1902) / Snow 5.0" (1941)

Our 7th (that's right) winter "event" is in the books. In East Nantmeal we received 0.3" of sleet/snow. Of the 7 events only 1 event on January 25th (0.8") exceeded the 0.5 inch mark. Clouds should hang around today with winds increasing this PM. Mild through Friday with more rain again possibly mixed with snow Thursday night into Friday. Daily Records: High 71 (1946) / Low 4 below (1934) / Precipitation 1.82" (1902) / Snow 5.0" (1941)

Temp down to 32.1 here in NW Chester County PA at 685ft asl with just some light sleet and snow falling. Our 0.3" of sleet/snow from round 1 make this our 7th winter "event" of the season.....the biggest single event...a whopping 0.8"

Some light snow mixed with sleet just started up again temp down to 32.5 0.3" with round 1

33.2 with sleet snow mix will not equal our largest snow of the year though....that 0.8" will be tough to beat!!

Mainly snow with sleet mixing in all surfaces covered and temp is down to 33.5 DP 31.3

The primary is weakening with the 2nd starting to take control off the coast...precip will start to blossom over the next couple hours - albeit too late for those of us too far to the southwest but should be a nice little event for folks to the Northeast of Chester County - enjoy!!

Snow mixing with the sleet pretty steady with all surfaces briefly covered here before the change to rain coming shortly Temp down to 34.2 DP 30.7

Sleet has started up again here in NW Chesco temp at 37.3 DP has fallen a bit now at 29.5

Cloudy temp down to 39.4 but DP rising quickly and up to 30.4.

Starting to sleet here in East Nantmeal temp at 42.9 DP 21.4

Steady virga incoming....

You will get there in Bethlehem! have no fear!!

Down here in the southern climes of Chesco expectation set at 0.3" of sleet before change to rain

HRRR with it's view of snow and sleet this evening

Increasing clouds today with highs in the low 40's. Rain or sleet should start during the 7pm hour with sleet becoming the main precipitation type across NW Chester County before transitioning to all rain before ending overnight. The NWS has a small sleet accumulation possible across NW Chesco tonight. Seasonably cool tomorrow in the low 40's before warming again by Thursday with showers. Could see another wintry mix by Friday. Records for today: High 73 (1997) / Low 2 (1934) / Precipitation 1.33" (1958) / Snow 3.0" (1907)

Increasing clouds today with highs in the low 40's. Rain or sleet should start during the 7pm hour with sleet becoming the main precipitation type across NW Chester County before transitioning to all rain before ending overnight. The NWS has a small sleet accumulation possible across NW Chesco tonight. Seasonably cool tomorrow in the low 40's before warming again by Thursday with showers. Could see another wintry mix by Friday. Records for today: High 73 (1997) / Low 2 (1934) / Precipitation 1.33" (1958) / Snow 3.0" (1907)

Still liking mainly sleet south of I78 with the accumulating snow remaining North of there. The NWS now says the Sleet could be heavy at times across Western Chester County.