Snow showers and squalls from this event, as evidenced by the first image (radar at the time of this writing) are diminishing across the area after midnight. The winds are diminishing as well
Friday is your break day. 2nd image is a computer model forecast that even shows some breaks in the clouds possible. Less wind as well, and high near freezing in Erie and 25-30 elsewhere.
Snow will overspread the entire area on Saturday as an arctic front pushes in so everyone will get some light accumulations, maybe 1-3″ during the day as shown in image 3.
Then more lake effect snow first along the lakeshore Saturday evening and then transitioning south into the snow belts late Saturday night into Sunday (4th image).
Here are some additional thoughts and facts…
- Still a little early to get reliable amounts for Saturday night into Sunday, but there will be more snow to move and remove for most of the area.
- It looks like the snowbelts south of 90 will get the most again, and as a general starting point, many areas in Erie, Crawford & Chautauqua County could approach 6″ or more.
- We’ll be looking at data over the next 24 hours to get more exact numbers and locations and elaborate on the snowfall forecast.
- Regardless of whatever amounts end up being, this will be a drier and fluffier snow Saturday night into Sunday.
- That’s because this will probably be the coldest air we’ve seen thus far this month, and colder air makes fluffier, drier snow.
- Highs on Sunday will probably be in the low 20s for Erie/Lakeshore and Teens elsewhere
- Winds will be strong again, driving wind chill factors or feels like temps. to near or below zero Saturday night and Sunday
Now for some perspective and good news…
- Nothing new for us here in the winter wonderland of NW PA-snows like this are common at this time of year.
- This event will be short-lived.
- Warmer air is on the way next week by Wednesday/Thursday with highs into the 40s at that time.
- Stay tuned-we’ll update and adjust over the next 24-48 hours.
Go to yourerie.com/weather for our interactive radar and our latest forecast…