Lake-Effect Snow — Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

2017-12-24 to 2017-12-27 · Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

An historic lake effect snow storm impacted Erie County on December 24th through the 27th. A 24 hour Pennsylvania snowfall record of 50.8 inches is believed to have been set during the period from 7 am on the 25th through 7 am on the 26th at Erie International Airport. The airport saw a total of 65.9 inches on the 24th through 27th with 60.3 inches falling on the 25th and 26th. Snowfall rates during the peak of the storm on the evening of the 25th were around 4 inches per hour. Travel along Interstate 90 was impossible at times during this event and many motorists became stranded in the snow. The Pennsylvania National Guard was activated during the event and sent at least 10 vehicles to assist transporting medical personnel and stranded motorists. West to southwest winds gusted to as much as 40 mph during this snow event leading to prolonged white out conditions. Drifts several feet deep were reported. There were even some reports of thunder and lightning early in the event.

An area of low pressure moved across the upper Ohio Valley on December 24th. This low moved into western Pennsylvania during the evening hours. Very cold westerly winds behind this front caused lake effect snow showers to develop with the snow beginning in Erie County between 7 and 8 pm. By midnight up to two inches of snow had fallen. Mainly light snow showers then continued through daybreak with another inch or two of accumulation. The intensity of the snow showers picked up during the morning hours with accumulations of 10 inches of greater reported by early afternoon.

By early evening the snow was falling at 3 to 4 inches per hour. Most of this heavy snow fell close to the Lake Erie shoreline as the winds in the low levels of the atmosphere were southwest by that time. The heavy snow showers continued through mid morning on the 26th and then diminished slightly. Another burst of heavy snow occurred late in the day in on the 26th. Generally light snow showers were reported from the late evening hours of the 26th through the afternoon of the 27th when the snow finally tapered to flurries.

Roads during this event were impassable at times and even Interstate 90 had to be closed for a few hours because of accidents. Road crews in populated areas had difficulty clearing roads due to parked and stranded cars. Dozens of vehicles had to be towed. Road crews were brought in from other parts of the state to help clear the state and Federal highways in the county. It took several days for snow removal efforts to be completed. In Erie, many business including a large shopping mall closed on December 26th which is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Erie International Airport closed on 25th and didn't reopen till late on the 26th interrupting holiday plans for thousands of people. Snow removal costs were significant for local governments. There were also reports of roof collapses and other damage from the weight of the snow. There were dozens of accidents reported. Local media reported impacts from this storm were as great as any previous storm in the areas history.

The following are some of the snowfall totals from Erie County for the 72 hour period from late on December 24th though late day on the 27th. Please note, that due to the nature of lake effect snow, sharp gradients in totals occurred. A peak total of 65.9 inches was reported at Erie International Airport with 59.0 inches at Colt Station and 58.0 inches southwest of North East. Other totals included: 56.0 inches five miles southeast of Erie; 48.9 inches in Millcreek Township; 44.4 inches six miles southwest of Erie; 43.1 inches near Girard; 35.1 inches at Lake City; 33.2 inches in Harborcreek Township; 24.5 in North East; 22.0 inches at McKean and 20.0 inches at Edinboro.

Wider weather episode

An historic lake effect snow storm impacted Erie County on December 24th through the 27th. A 24 hour Pennsylvania snowfall record of 50.8 inches is believed to have been set during the period from 7 am on the 25th through 7 am on the 26th at Erie International Airport. The airport saw a total of 65.9 inches on the 24th through 27th with 60.3 inches falling on the 25th and 26th. Snowfall rates during the peak of the storm on the evening of the 25th were around 4 inches per hour. Travel along Interstate 90 was impossible at times during this event and many motorists became stranded in the snow. The Pennsylvania National Guard was activated during the event and sent at least 10 vehicles to assist transporting medical personnel and stranded motorists. West to southwest winds gusted to as much as 40 mph during this snow event leading to prolonged white out conditions. Drifts several feet deep were reported. There were even some reports of thunder and lightning early in the event.

An area of low pressure moved across the upper Ohio Valley on December 24th. This low moved into western Pennsylvania during the evening hours. Very cold westerly winds behind this front caused lake effect snow showers to develop with the snow beginning in Erie County between 7 and 8 pm. By midnight up to two inches of snow had fallen. Mainly light snow showers then continued through daybreak with another inch or two of accumulation. The intensity of the snow showers picked up during the morning hours with accumulations of 10 inches of greater reported by early afternoon.

By early evening the snow was falling at 3 to 4 inches per hour. Most of this heavy snow fell close to the Lake Erie shoreline as the winds in the low levels of the atmosphere were southwest by that time. The heavy snow showers continued through mid morning on the 26th and then diminished slightly. Another burst of heavy snow occurred late in the day in on the 26th. Generally light snow showers were reported from the late evening hours of the 26th through the afternoon of the 27th when the snow finally tapered to flurries.

Roads during this event were impassable at times and even Interstate 90 had to be closed for a few hours because of accidents. Road crews in populated areas had difficulty clearing roads due to parked and stranded cars. Dozens of vehicles had to be towed. Road crews were brought in from other parts of the state to help clear the state and Federal highways in the county. It took several days for snow removal efforts to be completed. In Erie, many business including a large shopping mall closed on December 26th which is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Erie International Airport closed on 25th and didn't reopen till late on the 26th interrupting holiday plans for thousands of people. Snow removal costs were significant for local governments. There were also reports of roof collapses and other damage from the weight of the snow. There were dozens of accidents reported. Local media reported impacts from this storm were as great as any previous storm in the areas history.

The following are some of the snowfall totals from Erie County for the 72 hour period from late on December 24th though late day on the 27th. Please note, that due to the nature of lake effect snow, sharp gradients in totals occurred. A peak total of 65.9 inches was reported at Erie International Airport with 59.0 inches at Colt Station and 58.0 inches southwest of North East. Other totals included: 56.0 inches five miles southeast of Erie; 48.9 inches in Millcreek Township; 44.4 inches six miles southwest of Erie; 43.1 inches near Girard; 35.1 inches at Lake City; 33.2 inches in Harborcreek Township; 24.5 in North East; 22.0 inches at McKean and 20.0 inches at Edinboro.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 730390. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.