PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania has a long history of measurable snow, and some locations in the state have logged particularly early dates for the first accumulating snowfall of the season, according to the National Weather Service.
In Philadelphia, the earliest measurable snowfall (that is, more than a trace) recorded at Philadelphia International Airport was October 10, 1979, when 2.1 inches fell.
For Pittsburgh, the earliest date with measurable snow accumulation in the official records is October 18, 1972.
In Erie, which is further north and closer to lake-effects snow, the record shows the first measurable snow as early as October 1, 2003.
These early snowfalls are well outside the usual seasonal norms.
For example, in Philadelphia the average first snowfall of at least 0.1 inch typically happens in mid-December.
