Lake-Effect Snow — Southern Erie, Pennsylvania

2022-11-18 · Southern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Southwesterly winds were initially carrying an intense band of lake effect snow towards Buffalo, NY, but briefly shifted more westerly during the afternoon and early evening hours of November 18th. This pushed heavy snow onshore into Erie County Pennsylvania for several hours. The heavy snowfall was generally confined to locations within several miles of Lake Erie, but briefly dipped as far south as I-90 and I-86 during the late afternoon and early evening with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour briefly occurring. These heavy snowfall rates led to very low visibility and hazardous road conditions and vehicle accidents. The greatest snowfall in the southern Erie County forecast zone was 9.8' measured in North East Township by a trained spotter, with 9' measured by a trained spotter in Greenfield Township. Snowfall amounts quickly dropped off through southern Erie County, with 4' measured by a trained spotter in Colt Station with lesser amounts farther south.

Wider weather episode

Southwesterly winds were initially carrying an intense band of lake effect snow towards Buffalo, NY, but briefly shifted more westerly during the afternoon and early evening hours of November 18th. This pushed heavy snow onshore into northern Erie County Pennsylvania for several hours. Accumulating snow began in the mid afternoon hours and was done by the late evening hours, with the heaviest snow occurring in a short window during the late afternoon and early evening. Snow rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour occurred at times. These heavy snowfall rates led to very low visibility and hazardous road conditions. The greatest snowfall from this event was 10' measured in the city of Erie by a trained spotter. Other select reports include trained spotters measured 9.8' in North East Township, 9' in Greenfield Township, and 7.5' in Harborcreek.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1073139. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.