PENNSYLVANIA — Residents of Crawford and Erie counties should prepare for significant winter weather this weekend as the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Sunday evening through Tuesday evening.
The watch covers cities including Corry, Erie, Edinboro, Titusville, Union City, and Meadville.
Forecasters warn that heavy lake effect snow could drop between 5 and 10 inches in the region.
Visibility may fall below a quarter mile during periods of heavy snow, with rates possibly exceeding 1 to 2 inches per hour in well-organized snow bands.
Gusty winds combined with the weight of snow on tree limbs could lead to downed power lines and scattered power outages.
The timing of the storm could affect travel during the Monday morning and evening commutes, as well as the Tuesday morning commute.
Authorities note that many trees in the area still have leaves, increasing the risk of branches falling under the weight of wet snow and potentially disrupting power lines.
Residents are advised to monitor forecasts closely, as lake effect snow can produce rapidly changing conditions over short distances. Sudden drops in visibility and deteriorating road conditions are likely. Drivers and commuters should exercise caution and prepare for difficult travel throughout the event.
