Feb 1, 2024 By Mark Hofmann 3 min read

Last year’s average snowfall nearly set a record, albeit one fans of sledding, skiing and snowboarding might not be terribly happy about.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Lee Hendricks said the 2022-23 season brought a paltry 17.6 inches in the region – the second lowest snowfall on record – and this year isn’t shaping up to be much better.

“So far, this (January), we’re at 9.9 inches,” Hendricks said.

And while that’s about average for this month, throughout this year’s supposed snow season, 23.3 inches have fallen. While it’s more than last year, Hendricks said it’s still 11.7 inches lower than the average by this time of the year – and the same will likely be said for the entire winter season, which sees an average of 43.1 inches.

Not even the mountain areas of Fayette County, typically bombarded with flurries and flakes aplenty, are seeing much.

In fact, the lack of snow has forced the cancellation of Winterfest, a nearly two-decade tradition at Ohiopyle State Park.

Filled with horse rides through the snow, chilly family fun and opportunities to appreciate the mountain’s winter beauty, the spring-like conditions also nixed Winterfest last year.

The event was set for this coming Saturday, but park officials called it off, citing no snow and none expected in a borough that has predicted a high of 43 degrees that day.

A Facebook post announcing the cancellation noted the festival would not be rescheduled because its success relies on bringing together staff from other state parks and a number of volunteers.

“More often than not it is a go,” the post read. “We will just celebrate when it can happen.”

Predicting when winter will feel and look like winter is difficult, Hendricks said.

“A lot of factors really go into whether we have a snowy winter, a wet winter or a dry winter,” he said, adding it could be anything like have an El Nino (wetter, snowier conditions) year or a La Nina (drier, warmer conditions) year.

In the next two weeks, he said, the region will likely find itself in a gap between weather systems passing by to the north and the south.

“We might have a flurry or a rainshower,” Hendricks said.

As to what February might bring, he said to expect below average precipitation.

And while there may be some deviations that lead to snowfall in March or April, “Maybe we’ll have an early Spring,” he said.

With Winterfest a no-go, park officials are instead capitalizing on the balmy conditions. Three hikes will lead off from the Sugarloaf sledding area, there will be a winter ecology hike and other activities more in line with the weather Mother Nature has provided.

For times and additional details on Saturday’s activities, visit the Ohiopyle State Park Facebook page.