Lake-Effect Snow — Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

2018-03-08 to 2018-03-09 · Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

An area of low pressure moved across the Upper Ohio Valley early on March 7th. The low quickly shifted off the East Coast and the slowly drifted east on the 8th. Moisture wrapping around this low pressure system caused lake effect snow bands to develop over northwestern Pennsylvania by midday on the 8th. The snow showers quickly intensified and moderate to heavy snow was reported much of the afternoon and evening of the 8th. The snow showers briefly tapered off during the early morning hours of the 9th. Snow showers redeveloped during the daylight hours on the 9th with moderate snow reported at times. The snow finally tapered off for good during the evening of the 9th. Westerly winds accompanied the snow and gusted to more than 20 mph at times. This caused some blowing and drifting and reduced visibilities to less than a quarter mile with the heaviest snow bands. Accumulations of 8 inches or more occurred across much of Erie and Crawford Counties. In Erie County a peak total of 15.6 inches was measured at Erie International Airport with 14.0 inches just southeast of Erie. Other reports from Erie County included: 12.6 inches east of Edinboro; 9.6 inches at McKean; 9.0 inches south of North East; 8.2 inches in Amity Township and 7.5 inches at Corry. Many accidents were reported.

Wider weather episode

An area of low pressure moved across the Upper Ohio Valley early on March 7th. The low quickly shifted off the East Coast and the slowly drifted east on the 8th. Moisture wrapping around this low pressure system caused lake effect snow bands to develop over northwestern Pennsylvania by midday on the 8th. The snow showers quickly intensified and moderate to heavy snow was reported much of the afternoon and evening of the 8th. The snow showers briefly tapered off during the early morning hours of the 9th. Snow showers redeveloped during the daylight hours on the 9th with moderate snow reported at times. The snow finally tapered off for good during the evening of the 9th. Westerly winds accompanied the snow and gusted to more than 20 mph at times. This caused some blowing and drifting and reduced visibilities to less than a quarter mile with the heaviest snow bands. Accumulations of 8 inches or more occurred across much of Erie and Crawford Counties. In Erie County a peak total of 15.6 inches was measured at Erie International Airport with 14.0 inches just southeast of Erie. Other reports from Erie County included: 12.6 inches east of Edinboro; 10.0 inches in Summit Township; 9.6 inches at McKean; 9.0 inches south of North East; 8.2 inches in Amity Township and 7.5 inches at Corry. In Crawford County a peak total of 12.2 inches was measured in Cambridge Springs with 9.5 inches southwest of Meadville. Many accidents were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 746423. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.