Winter Weather — Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

2025-02-16 to 2025-02-17 · Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Deepening low pressure tracked into the upper Ohio Valley the morning of February 16th, before the low pressure transferred to off the east coast that afternoon and evening. This allowed for a period of rain changing to accumulating wet snow as the low pressure lifted into the Ohio Valley, followed by continuing lake effect snow as cold, west-northwest winds wrapped in behind the low into early February 17th. An initial period of impactful snow accumulation occurred from late morning into the afternoon on the 16th, as rain initially changed to a period of steady to heavy snow with the low pressure. Periods of moderate to heavy lake effect snow showers and squalls were most prominent during the evening and overnight hours on the 16th into early on the 17th, before winding down into the 17th. Wind gusts to 30 MPH on the 16th led to some blowing snow, reducing visibility and making it harder for road crews to keep roads clear. Although heavy snow criteria was not reached, some impacts were felt across the area. Periods of reduced visibility and snow-covered, icy roads led to periods of difficult travel conditions across the area with accidents reported, especially on February 16th. Selected spotter reports include 5 inches in North East, 4.8 inches in Harborcreek, 4.6 inches in the city of Erie, and 4 inches in Northwest Harborcreek. Erie International Airport measured 4 inches.

Wider weather episode

Deepening low pressure tracked into the upper Ohio Valley the morning of February 16th, before the low pressure transferred to off the east coast that afternoon and evening. This allowed for a period of rain changing to accumulating wet snow as the low pressure lifted into the Ohio Valley, followed by continuing lake effect snow as cold, west-northwest winds wrapped in behind the low into early February 17th. An initial period of impactful snow accumulation occurred from late morning into the afternoon on the 16th, as rain initially changed to a period of steady to heavy snow with the low pressure. Periods of moderate to heavy lake effect snow showers and squalls were most prominent during the evening and overnight hours on the 16th into early on the 17th, before winding down and exiting to the east into the 17th. Wind gusts to 30 MPH on the 16th led to some blowing snow, reducing visibility and making it harder for road crews to keep roads clear. Periods of reduced visibility and snow-covered, icy roads led to a prolonged period of difficult travel conditions across Northwest Pennsylvania. A peak snowfall of 9 inches was measured by a trained spotter in Venango Township. Other select reports include 8.8 inches in West Springfield Township, 7.8 inches in Meadville, and 7.5 inches in Corry.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1267318. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.