Lake-Effect Snow — Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

2025-01-01 to 2025-01-02 · Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

As low pressure intensified over Upstate New York early on January 1st it pulled cold air in behind it, allowing rain to transition to snow. This initial snow behind the low pressure resulted in only light accumulations across northern Erie County. This low pressure exited off the New England coast during the afternoon as cold air continued to flow in on westerly winds, allowing snow to transition to lake effect bands that continued into January 2nd. These lake effect bands were heavier, with rates peaking at around 1 inch per hour on January 2nd, before activity lost organization and began shifting northeast and out of the area by the evening on January 2nd. The lake effect snow produced heavier accumulations across northern Erie County. Erie International Airport reported 9.6 inches of snow with the lake effect, with a trained spotter in Millcreek Township measuring 5.8 inches. During the heaviest snow, low visibility and snow-covered roads led to difficult travel conditions.

Wider weather episode

As low pressure intensified over Upstate New York early on January 1st it pulled cold air in behind it, allowing rain to transition to snow. This initial snow behind the low pressure resulted in several inches of wet snow accumulation across the higher elevations in southern Erie County and northern Crawford County. This low pressure exited off the New England coast during the afternoon as cold air continued to flow in on westerly winds, allowing snow to transition to lake effect bands that continued into January 2nd. These lake effect bands were heavier, with rates peaking at greater than 1 inch per hour on January 2nd, before activity lost organization and began shifting northeast and out of the area by the evening on January 2nd. The one-two combination of snow behind the low pressure and lake effect allowed totals to add up across parts of Northwest Pennsylvania. A trained spotter in Greene Township measured 19.3 inches of snow with this event, with 17 inches near Edinboro, 14 inches in Venango Township, and 9.6 inches at Erie International Airport. During the heaviest snow, low visibility and snow-covered roads led to difficult travel conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1267271. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.