Lake-Effect Snow — Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

2024-11-29 to 2024-11-30 · Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

A prolonged, crippling, and in some places historic lake effect event took place across the Northwest Pennsylvania snowbelt to end November and start December in 2024. The event ramped up overnight November 28th and 29th as a band of very heavy snow with snow rates up to 3 inches per hour took shape on a westerly wind. This band of heavy snow focused on the northern half of Erie County during the day November 29th before spreading slightly farther inland that evening, with rates continuing to exceed 2 inches per hour at times. Lake effect snow lifted northeast and out of the area into the day on November 30th as winds shifted southwest. This provided a 12 to 24 hour break in the snow before activity returned December 1st. The first portion of this event led to significant impacts across northern Erie County as the amount of snow that fell in such a short duration was impossible for road crews to keep up with. Large stretches of I-90 and I-86 were closed in Erie County from the afternoon on the 29th through much of the 30th. On other roads, many accidents were reported and numerous cars became stranded in the snow. Erie County requested assistance from the Pennsylvania National Guard to help reach stranded motorists and to clear roads. Local snowmobile clubs were also utilized to help with the large number of stranded motorists. Erie County declared a state of emergency due to the snow event. The heavy weight of the snow caused some tree and vegetation damage, with some structural damage such as roof collapses also noted. Peak spotter totals from November 29th and 30th included 43.5 inches in North East, 42.2 inches in Girard, 40.2 inches in Northwest Harborcreek, and 35.1 inches at Erie International Airport.

Wider weather episode

A prolonged, crippling, and in some places historic lake effect event took place across the Northwest Pennsylvania snowbelt to end November and start December in 2024. The event ramped up overnight November 28th and 29th as a band of very heavy snow with snow rates up to 3 inches per hour took shape on a westerly wind. This band initially took aim at much of Erie County and northern Crawford County. During the daytime on November 29th the winds backed to a more west-southwest direction which focused the heaviest snow closer to the Erie County lakeshore. Winds turned more westerly during the evening, directing intense bands with snow rates up to 2 inches per hour back into much of Erie County, along with far northern Crawford County. Lake effect snow lifted northeast and out of the area into the day on November 30th as winds shifted southwest. This provided a 12 to 24 hour break in the snow before activity returned December 1st. The first portion of this event led to significant impacts across Northwest Pennsylvania, particularly in Erie County. Large stretches of I-90 and I-86 were closed in Erie County from the afternoon the 29th through much of the 30th. On other roads, many accidents were reported and some cars became stranded in the snow. Erie County declared a state of emergency due to the snow event. The heavy weight of the snow caused some tree and vegetation damage, with some structural damage such as roof collapses also noted. Peak totals from November 29th and 30th included 43.5 inches in North East, 42.2 inches in Girard, 42 inches in Greenfield Township, 35.1 inches at Erie International Airport and 17.6 inches in Spring Township.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1226632. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.