Erie Weather Now

17/01/2025

🧊🥶 Lake Erie Ice Update: 1/3 Covered and Growing!
The latest analysis from the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory is in, and Lake Erie is making strides toward its winter transformation—now about 1/3 covered with ice!

Here are some cool stats to break the ice:
👉 Last year this time: Only 12.9% of the lake had ice.
👉 This year so far: We’re sitting at 34.62% coverage—a huge leap!
👉 Throwback to 2018: The last time Lake Erie saw more ice than this by mid-January (on this date) was 2018, when a whopping 91% of the lake was ice covered.

As temperatures continue to hover near or below average, we should expect to see this icy expansion grow rapidly.

15/01/2025

🧊 Lake Erie’s ice coverage continues to grow steadily, now reaching 28.10%, a modest increase from 26.14% just yesterday. As temperatures remain near or slightly below average, the lake’s ice continues to steadily expand, showcasing the gradual progression of winter across Lake Erie.

With cold weather expected to persist over the next couple of weeks, rapid ice development is likely to continue. Stay tuned for more updates!

15/01/2025

❄️ The heavy lake-effect snow arrived with terrible timing, hitting the Erie region just as rush hour began. Snowfall rates reached an intense 1-2 inches per hour, quickly covering roadways and reducing visibility to near whiteout conditions in some areas. The rapidly accumulating snow created treacherous driving conditions, leaving roads slick and challenging for commuters. A few accidents were reported included a car versus plowtruck in western Erie County.

15/01/2025

Wow! This stunning “almost” sunset captured yesterday evening by WxLogic's HazCam at Erie International Airport looks like something straight out of a frozen tundra!

15/01/2025

🧊❄️ Lake Erie Ice Surge: Rapid Growth
In just the past day, Lake Erie’s ice coverage has surged dramatically, more than doubling its extent. The numbers speak for themselves: the ice coverage jumped from 12.85% to 26.14% - a staggering 103.45% increase! This percentage might sound surprising, so let’s break it down. While the coverage itself grew by 13.29 percentage points, the sheer rate of growth compared to its starting point highlights just how rapidly conditions are changing on the lake.

What’s driving this ice boom? Near average to slightly below-average temperatures sweeping into the region are the key players. With even colder air locked into the forecast for the next couple of weeks, expect this ice explosion to continue. Rapid ice development across Lake Erie could soon cover significant portions of the lake, greatly hindering the lake-effect snow machine.

14/01/2025

🌊🧊❄️ Lake Erie Ice Update
Lake Erie started the 2024 winter season with above-average water temperatures, creating an ideal setup for multiple rounds of lake-effect snow. This contributed to some areas of the region nearing, or even exceeding, their average annual snowfall totals within just the first month or two of winter!

However, the trend is shifting as colder temperatures have finally arrived. Recent frigid conditions have led to measurable ice growth on Lake Erie, which currently has 12.85% ice coverage.

Looking ahead, forecasts show multiple opportunities for below-average temperatures over the next couple of weeks. These colder trends are expected to contribute to rapid ice growth across not just Lake Erie, but all the Great Lakes.

This ice buildup will act as a cap, significantly reducing the lake-effect snow machine. For snow lovers, enjoy it while it lasts—because as the ice takes over, the potential for lake-effect snow diminishes significantly. However, we’re not entirely out of the snow game, as the region will still be in play for large-scale synoptic snowstorms.

Stay tuned for more updates on ice growth, cold temperatures, and more, following the upcoming lake effect event!

14/01/2025

❄️ Lake Effect Snow Update ❄️
Lake effect snow continues to develop over western New York. A band of snow remains just offshore but is slowly edging closer to northeastern Erie County along the lake.

Tonight into Tuesday morning, the band is expected to move onshore, bringing heavy snowfall at times, with rates of 1-2 inches per hour in the core of the band. The heaviest snow is anticipated between late tonight and tomorrow night. Along the lakeshore, especially Tuesday afternoon, wind gusts exceeding 35 mph could lead to blowing and drifting snow, creating hazardous driving conditions with reduction in visibility.

By Tuesday afternoon, winds are forecasted to shift to a more northerly direction, pushing the band inland before breaking it apart and pushing it southward. Tuesday night into Wednesday, a separate, less organized, lake effect band originating from Lake Huron is expected to cross over Lake Erie. This will bring an additional coating of snow to portions of northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York, though this is not the highest risk for the immediate term.

In terms of travel, moderate to major winter storm impacts are possible across portions of northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York. In Erie County, PA, PennDOT has issued travel restrictions on I-90 east of Route 6N and also on I-86 for empty tractor trailers and commercial vehicles.

Definitions for Moderate, Major, and Extreme Impacts:
• Moderate Impacts: Expect hazardous driving conditions; exercise extra caution while traveling. Some closures and disruptions to infrastructure are possible.
• Major Impacts: Driving conditions may become dangerous or impossible; avoid travel if possible. Widespread closures and significant disruptions to infrastructure are likely.
• Extreme Impacts: Extremely dangerous or impossible driving conditions, avoid traveling. Extensive and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur.

13/01/2025

❄️ Snow is falling across the region! Here’s a snapshot from 5:50 PM at the Erie International Airport, capturing the calm before the storm. Just moments after this image was taken, the winds picked up, snow began blowing, and the first flakes started to fall, marking the arrival of the impending weather. WxLogic's HazCam, proudly sponsored by Fundamentals Flight, captured this moment live!

Watch live at https://hazcams.com/station/erie-pa-us-002.

13/01/2025

❄️ Have you ever seen a lake-effect snow band and wondered why it looks like a towering “wall”? This striking phenomenon happens when cold, dry air moves over the warm waters of the lake, creating sharp boundaries between heavy snowfall and clear skies.

Converging winds over a lake enhance lake effect snow by forcing air upward, which lifts warm, moisture-rich air from the lake’s surface into the colder air above. This process creates instability, intensifies cloud development, and focuses snowfall into narrow, intense bands, often producing heavy, localized snow.

The intense rising air inside the band fuels thick, well-defined clouds, while drier, sinking air outside keeps the edges crystal clear. This sharp contrast is what gives the band its dramatic, wall-like appearance. When viewed from the side, it’s truly a spectacle of nature!

I captured some incredible photos this afternoon that show this phenomenon in action.

12/01/2025

❄️ A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for late Monday night through late Wednesday night, covering Ashtabula Lakeshore County in Ohio and Northern and Southern Erie Counties in Pennsylvania. Heavy snow is possible during this period, with total accumulations expected to range between 8 and 16 inches.

Travel could become very difficult, and hazardous road conditions may significantly impact both the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. Stay prepared for rapidly changing conditions and consider adjusting travel plans accordingly.

12/01/2025

❄️ A quick round of snowy conditions is expected late tonight, lasting a couple of hours before clearing out by tomorrow. However, come Tuesday, the Lake Effect Snow machine will make a comeback. For snow lovers, the clock is ticking as we race against time for additional lake effect snow showers. Over the next couple of weeks, temperatures are likely to stay below freezing, with some areas dipping into the lower teens and single digits. This will lead to rapid ice growth on Lake Erie, which significantly reduces the chances of lake effect snow showers. That said, synoptic winter storms are still in play.

For the upcoming event, early indications suggest that western New York has the best shot at the heaviest snow accumulations. However, as we all know, it ultimately depends on the precise placement of those lake effect snow bands.

I’ll work on ironing out more details and have an update for you tomorrow afternoon! Stay tuned!

10/01/2025

❄️ Snow is falling across the region! Here’s a live view as of 5:50 PM from the Erie International Airport, where light snow blankets the scene. WxLogic’s HazCam, proudly sponsored by Fundamentals Flight, captures this picturesque winter moment as an American Airlines jet sits at the gate following the cancellation of flight AA5909 earlier this evening.

Watch live at https://hazcams.com/station/erie-pa-us-002.

09/01/2025

⚠️ 🧊 This is your annual reminder: no ice is safe ice. Explosive ice development is likely on any and all bodies of water over the next few weeks.

Ice can be unpredictable, and its conditions can vary drastically - not just from one body of water to another, but even a few feet apart. Thickness and strength can change without warning, making it incredibly dangerous to assume any patch of ice is “safe.”

One of the biggest hazards this time of year is ice dunes. While they may look cool and tempting to explore, they are extremely dangerous. These formations are not solid - they’re made up of a mix of snow, ice, and air pockets, which makes them incredibly unstable. Every winter, people take the unnecessary risk of walking on them, especially in areas like Presque Isle. Falling through an ice dune is not just a fall - it’s a trap. Once you break through, there’s often no way to climb back out. The shifting ice and snow can quickly bury you, leaving no escape - not to mention the freezing water just feet below the the surface of the dune.

Beyond ice dunes, all ice has the potential to be unsafe. Even if it looks thick enough to walk or skate on, underlying currents, temperature fluctuations, or hidden weak spots can make it treacherous. Don’t trust the appearance of the surface. No activity is worth the risk of falling through. Just because you see others confidently navigating the ice doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to do the same.

If you see someone fall through the ice, call 911 immediately and avoid rushing onto the ice yourself, you could fall in too. Instead, use the “reach or throw” method: extend a long object like a branch or rope, or toss something that floats to help them stay above water. Encourage them to kick and pull themselves onto the ice, then roll away from the hole to safety.

So please, this winter: stay off the ice. Avoid ice dunes. Keep yourself and others safe. Prevention is the best rescue. Share these tips and remind others that no ice is safe ice, because too many accidents happen every year when they could have been easily prevented.

08/01/2025

👀

Forgive us if we sound like a broken record, but it will not stop snowing. We got 4" overnight and it's currently a whiteout! (Update 11:00 am. 7" and still dumping)

Paul Revere, a silversmith, patriot and American hero is best known for his famous ride on the night of April, 18th 1775 to alert the Minutemen of the Boston county side of the British advance on Lexington and Concord.

On the 200th anniversary of his famous ride, a trail was cut at Mount Pleasant and aptly named "Revere's Ride".

With the natural snow we are excited to drop the rope and enjoy it! See you tonight!

07/01/2025

❄️ As mentioned earlier this week, additional lake effect snow is expected this week through Thursday afternoon. Recently, a lake effect snow band over NW PA has intensified, with a Winter Weather Advisory in effect through 7 AM Thursday (issued by NWS Cleveland). Snowfall rates could reach up to 1 inch per hour in persistent bands. The rest of the area remains dry with limited moisture. The advisory warns for an additional 3-7" of snow, primarily south and along I-90. Lesser amounts are likely along the immediate lake shore.

Temperatures today will rise to the mid-to-upper 20s, with overnight lows dropping into the teens and single-digit wind chills. Highs Wednesday will be in the low-to-mid 20s. High pressure moving in Thursday will shift winds and end most lake effect snow, with light accumulations lingering in our immediate area until late afternoon.

05/01/2025

❄️ With the recent round of snowstorms, several areas in Erie County have now reached or even exceeded their average seasonal snowfall totals. In fact, nearly all parts of the county have already surpassed the total snowfall recorded during the entirety of last year, highlighting just how significant this season’s snowfall has been so far.

In case you were wondering (and I know you were), yes, more snow is on the menu this week - served fresh, courtesy of Lake Effect Café. Don’t forget your shovel special!

05/01/2025

I’ll take snow every day of the year over this garbage! Ice is just terrible.

02/01/2025

10:30 PM Update: An additional 1-3 inches of snow is expected along the lakeshore, bringing a fresh coating to areas already blanketed by around 2 to locally 6 inches along the lake shore. Meanwhile, interior portions of Erie County could see higher accumulations, with 4-8 inches possible tonight into tomorrow (with locally higher amounts), as lake-effect snow bands continue to develop and intensify. These heavier totals will add to the region’s wintry scene, making travel conditions challenging in some areas.

A brief lull in snowfall activity is anticipated Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening, offering a temporary break from the snow. However, intermittent snow showers are likely to return Friday and continue through Sunday. As the weekend progresses into later on Sunday, a ridge is forecast to build over the area, which will help to limit lake-effect potential.

Tomorrow evening, the focus will be shifted beyond Thursday to explore the anticipated snowfall expected through the weekend.