ACUS11 KWNS 162213
SWOMCD
SPC MCD 162213
NYZ000-PAZ000-MDZ000-WVZ000-VAZ000-OHZ000-170215-

Mesoscale Discussion 0280
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0513 PM CDT Mon Mar 16 2026

Areas affected...West Virginia into far eastern Ohio and western
Pennsylvania

Concerning...Heavy snow

Valid 162213Z - 170215Z

SUMMARY...A swath of moderate to heavy snow will spread
north/northeast in the coming hours. Snowfall rates may locally
increase to 1-2 inches per hour.

DISCUSSION...Recent regional radar mosaics depict transient bands of
moderate to heavy snowfall within a broader precipitation shield
across the central Appalachians/upper OH River Valley. Surface
observations under the heavier bands have been reporting periods of
visibility reductions down to 1/4 mile. A broad swath of moderate
snowfall will be maintained through the evening as ascent within the
left-exit region of a 120 knot 500 mb jet continues to shift
northeast. Increasing 850-700 mb frontogenesis will continue to
overspread the upper OH Valley and provide more focused mesoscale
ascent favorable for focused snow banding and periods of heavy
snowfall rates. Although the strongest lift will likely be focused
within the 850-700 mb layer, ascent through 500 mb will include a
roughly 100 mb-deep dendritic growth zone. This will also help
maintain moderate to heavy snowfall rates as surface temperatures
fall below freezing within the post-frontal air mass. Based on
latest guidance, snowfall rates over 1 inch/hour appear likely and
may periodically be as high as 2 inches/hour across portions of PA
and within the higher terrain of the Appalachians later this
evening.

..Moore.. 03/16/2026

...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...

ATTN...WFO...BGM...BUF...CTP...LWX...RNK...PBZ...RLX...CLE...

LAT...LON   37458173 37748190 41558069 42078035 42457959 42857884
            42877862 42767804 42597772 42187759 41817765 40927804
            39917851 39297891 38637937 37788014 37378068 37308141
            37458173