Winter Storm — Southern Erie, Pennsylvania

2022-02-03 to 2022-02-04 · Southern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

A prolonged winter storm occurred from early February 3rd through early February 4th, 2022 as multiple waves of low pressure tracked along a slow moving cold front. Rain changed to snow shortly before midnight February 3rd as temperatures fell below freezing. Snow continued off and on through all of February 3rd and into the pre-dawn hours of February 4th before finally ending. Snow was steadier and more moderate to heavy during the afternoon and evening on February 3rd. Snow rates exceeded 1' per hour at times. Wind gusts increased to up to 30 MPH during the afternoon and evening hours of February 3rd leading to blowing and drifting snow. The snow, blowing snow, and falling temperatures led to a prolonged period of poor travel conditions with auto accidents resulting. A trained spotter in Cherry Hill measured 13.4' of snow with this storm. Other select reports include spotters reporting 13' in Greenfield Township, 11.1' just south of Northeast Township, and 10.5' in Corry and in Green Township. A CoCoRaHS observer in Millcreek Township measured 12.4' of snow with this storm.

Wider weather episode

A cold front slowly moved southeast across northwestern Pennsylvania between the evening of February 2nd and the early morning hours of February 3rd. The front stalled over southwestern Pennsylvania on February 3rd as an even stronger wave of low pressure tracked through the Ohio Valley along the front. The slow moving front and waves of low pressure resulted in a prolonged period of wintry precipitation, falling temperatures and gusty winds across the region. A period of more intense snow fell during the afternoon and evening on February 3rd with snowfall rates of up to 1' per hour observed. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 MPH were observed on February 3rd which led to blowing and drifting snow. The combination of snow, blowing snow, mixed precipitation and falling temperatures led to significant travel impacts across the region with numerous traffic accidents reported across the area. A trained spotter in Harborcreek measured 15' with this storm. Other select totals include 14.7' measured by a spotter in Erie, 13.4' measured by spotters in Cherry Hill and Meadville, and 12.4' measured by a CoCoRaHS observer in Millcreek Township.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1115750. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.