Urgent Lake-Effect Snow Warning: Up to 2 Feet Possible—Find Out If Your Area Is at Risk Now

A fresh lake effect snow warning has been posted by the National Weather Service (NWS) for Warren, McKean and Elk counties in northwest and north-central Pennsylvania, effective from 10 a.m. Sunday until 1 p.m. Monday. Meteorologists expect heavy lake effect snow bands streaming off Lake Erie to drop 5–8 inches of powder, with localized totals topping 10 inches where squalls persist the longest. Wind gusts could surge to 45 mph, leading to white-out visibility, drifting snow and scattered power outages, especially on exposed ridgelines and along Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 219. Key points for residents and travelers • Timing: The most intense snowfall is expected late Sunday afternoon through the predawn hours of Monday as Arctic air pours across the relatively warm Great Lakes. • Snowfall rates: Within the dominant bands, snow could fall at 1–2 inches per hour, rapidly coating untreated roads and creating dangerous black-ice conditions. • Wind and visibility: Blowing snow may reduce visibility below a quarter mile for stretches of time, making travel extremely hazardous, particularly on open stretches of I-86, PA-59 and secondary mountain roads. • Power concerns: Heavy, wet accumulations combined with strong gusts can snap tree limbs and down lines. Charge devices and keep flashlights and blankets in an easily accessible kit. Why this lake effect event stands out A classic northwest flow will line up almost directly over the Allegheny Plateau, maximizing fetch across Lake Erie and focusing snow squalls on a relatively narrow corridor. Forecast soundings show an ideal temperature profile—surface readings in the lower 30s with 850-mb temperatures near ­10 °C—creating steep lapse rates that fuel vigorous convection and towering snow clouds. Because lake effect snow is highly localized, communities a few miles apart may see dramatically different totals; motorists can go from dry pavement to blinding snow in minutes. Travel and safety tips 1. Delay non-essential trips until after the warning expires. 2. If you must drive, keep a winter survival kit that includes jumper cables, a shovel, windshield scraper, food, water and extra layers. 3. Reduce speed, leave extra following distance and assume exits, bridges and overpasses will be icy even if main lanes appear clear. 4. For real-time conditions, monitor 511PA and follow NWS State College and NWS Buffalo social feeds for imminent snow squall warnings. Looking ahead Lake effect intensity will diminish Monday afternoon as winds veer to the west and temperatures slowly moderate. However, colder air arriving midweek could reignite lighter lake effect snow across the usual snow belts of northwest Pennsylvania, western New York and southwest Michigan. Homeowners are urged to clear gutters and roofs promptly to prevent ice dams before the next round of frigid air sweeps across the Great Lakes.