Pittsburgh, PA – A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Forest County beginning 10 AM Sunday and continuing through Monday afternoon, as heavy lake effect snow may develop across northwest Pennsylvania. Forecasters warn that snowfall totals could vary dramatically across short distances, with anywhere from 2 to 10 inches possible depending on where persistent bands set up.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, cold northwest flow over Lake Erie will generate narrow but intense lake effect snow bands through Sunday afternoon, Sunday night, and into Monday. Winds could also gust up to 35 mph, reducing visibility and creating pockets of blowing and drifting snow.
The heaviest snow may form in localized corridors, impacting communities near Tionesta and surrounding rural areas. According to the NWS, travel could become very difficult, especially if bands set up over major routes, and the Monday morning commute could be significantly affected.
Forecasters emphasize that snowfall amounts will depend on the exact placement of lake effect bands, which tend to shift quickly and create sharp gradients—one town may see only a few inches while another location just a few miles away receives close to a foot.
Residents are urged to monitor updated forecasts and prepare for potentially hazardous road conditions through Monday afternoon.
