Lake effect snow and slick roads impacted the Erie region on Black Friday, with a lake effect snow warning issued by the National Weather Service in Cleveland.
What are the road conditions like in the Erie area?
Significant snow cover is impacting major highways in Erie County.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, motorists on I-90, I-79 and I-86 anywhere in the county are limited to 45 miles per hour due to snow-covered roads.
The highways are also under a Tier 4 restriction, meaning commercial vehicles, including tractor units and buses, will not be allowed from early Friday morning.
-AJ Rao
How much snow is expected?
According to the National Weather Service, the Erie area could receive a total of between 30 and 50 inches Friday through Sunday. The NWS forecasts the following accumulations for each day, starting at noon on Friday, November 29:
-
Friday: Daytime accumulations of 8-12 inches possible.
-
Friday night: New snow piles of 6-10 centimeters possible.
-
Saturday: New snow piles of 8-12 centimeters possible.
-
Saturday night: New snow piles of 3-5 centimeters possible.
-
Sunday: New snow piles of 15-10 centimeters possible.
There is also a lake effect snow warning in effect through Saturday.
-Nicholas Sorensen
What are the current circumstances? The latest weather alert for Erie County
Travel updates
PennDOT: Check traffic alerts and monitor weather conditions on PennDOT’s website.
Erie International Airport: Check the status of every airport flight heading into or out of Erie International Airport with the airport’s live flight monitor. The live flight monitor displays any cancellations or delays. Most international airports offer similar features.
Snow parking rules: The City of Erie is urging residents to follow odd-even parking rules when plowing snow
Tips:
-
Cold can affect the operation of the vehicle. Check your vehicle’s antifreeze level, battery and ignition system, brakes, exhaust system, fuel and air filters, heater and defroster, lights and flashing hazards, oil, thermostat, tires, wipers and windshield fluid.
-
Make sure you have a cold weather emergency kit in your car that includes water bottles, jumper cables, non-perishable food, blankets and clothing.
Power outage
If the power goes out, do not use generators in your home or use a gas furnace to heat your home. The engine may emit carbon monoxide gas.
Call your energy supplier to check estimated repair costs. Penelec has a power outage map that is useful in determining where the outage is located and how widespread it is, or call Penelec immediately at 1-888-544-4877 (1-888-LIGHTSS) for assistance.
Turn off and unplug lights and appliances to avoid overloading the circuit once the power comes back on. Select one light to leave on to watch for power restoration.
Keep your refrigerator door closed to prevent food from spoiling.
In an emergency, most municipalities will open warming shelters in the event of a widespread power outage during severe winter weather. If you need help, call your local council to see where you can go.
Stay informed about the weather in the Erie area
Return to GoErie.com for updates. Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images. Download the GoErie app for iOS or Android for mobile-friendly forecasts.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Latest weather updates: Erie hit with lake effect snow
