Lake-Effect Snow — Southern Erie, Pennsylvania

2020-02-07 to 2020-02-08 · Southern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Low pressure over the central Appalachians on the 7th moved northeast towards the New England states. On the back side of this low pressure system, a wintry mix of precipitation set up over Northwest Pennsylvania with snow and freezing drizzle, which transitioned completely to snow by late morning on the 7th. Cold air surged over the region behind the low and snow became more convective with periods of moderate snow with visibility below one mile. These bursts of snow continued through the afternoon hours of the 7th, as synoptic snow transitioned to mostly lake effect and shallow multi-bands set up over the area. As west flow set up over the region late on the 7th, a single lake effect snow band set up over the region, bringing snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, as it lifted north across the area. Another heavy lake effect snow band developed over Northwest Pennsylvania before dawn on the 8th bringing another window of significant snowfall. The highest snow total for this short event was 15 inches in Greene Township. Other selected event totals include: 14.3 inches in Amity Township, 13.5 inches in North East Township, 13 inches in Edinboro, 11 inches in Greenfield Township, 8.7 inches in Union City, and 7.5 inches in Millcreek Township.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure over the central Appalachians on the 7th moved northeast towards the New England states. On the back side of this low pressure system, a wintry mix of precipitation set up over Northwest Pennsylvania with snow and freezing drizzle, which transitioned completely to snow by late morning on the 7th. Cold air surged over the region behind the low and snow became more convective with periods of moderate snow with visibility below one mile. These bursts of snow continued through the afternoon hours of the 7th, as synoptic snow transitioned to mostly lake effect and shallow multi-bands set up over the area. As west flow set up over the region late on the 7th, a single lake effect snow band set up over the region, bringing snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, as it lifted north across the area. Another heavy lake effect snow band developed over Northwest Pennsylvania before dawn on the 8th bringing another window of significant snowfall. The highest snow total for this short event was 15 inches in Greene Township. Other selected event totals include: 14.3 inches in Amity Township, 13.5 inches in North East Township, 13 inches in Edinboro, 12.6 inches in Springboro, 12 inches in Cambridge Springs, 11 inches in Greenfield Township, 8.7 inches in Union City, 7.5 inches in Millcreek Township, and 7.2 inches in Meadville.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 875105. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.