Erie, PA – Heavy lake-effect snow is locking into northwest Pennsylvania today, creating dangerous whiteouts and rapidly worsening road conditions from Erie to Meadville. Intense bands south of I-90 are already dropping several inches per hour, and the most hazardous travel window runs through Friday morning as winds gust toward 40 mph.
According to the National Weather Service Cleveland office, a Lake Effect Snow Warning continues for Erie and Crawford Counties until early Saturday. The strongest bands will wobble south through this afternoon and evening, repeatedly targeting Edinboro, Waterford, Cambridge Springs, and northern Crawford County. Peak snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour may bury untreated roads and overwhelm plow operations. Pennsylvania Turnpike and PennDOT officials urge drivers to delay all non-essential travel. They report rapidly changing pavement conditions on I-79, I-90, and Route 19, where visibility may abruptly drop to near zero.
According to emergency managers, drifting snow will increase tonight as winds strengthen. This could trap vehicles on rural roads and create difficult conditions for first responders. Power outages remain possible where gusts hit 40 mph, especially near the lakeshore and in exposed higher terrain east of Erie. Residents should charge devices, secure outdoor items, and make sure their vehicles carry winter kits.
According to NWS forecasters, lighter lakeshore totals are expected, but inland snow belts will continue to stack up through Friday night. Schools and workplaces may see delays Friday morning as plows struggle to keep ahead of the heaviest bands. Anyone who must drive should slow down, increase following distance, and prepare for sudden whiteouts.
