An area of low pressure tracked northeast from the Tennessee Valley during the evening hours of the 27th. This area of low pressure continued northeast and moved through the Ohio River Valley, and then into western Pennsylvania during the early afternoon of the 28th. The low pressure intensified as it entered western New York State by that evening. Snow began across the region during the evening hours of the 27th, and continued through the evening of the 28th. Warmer air aloft was able to effect some areas by changing precipitation over to sleet and freezing rain for a short period. Many locations across northwest Pennsylvania hio experienced at snowfall amounts between 8.0 and 14.0 inches.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA
From 27-JAN-09 20:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow began during the evening hours of the 27th and continued through the evening of the 28th. The snow was heaviest during the daytime hours of the 28th with visibilities dropping at or below one half miles at times. Snowfall amounts ranged between 9.0 and 14.0 inches. Across far southern portions of the county, there were some brief periods of mixing of sleet and freezing rain. However, the mixed precipitation did not limit snowfall accumulations very much. Trained spotters measured 12.6 inches in Franklin Center, and 9.5 inches in both Pont and Edinboro. West to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with occasional gusts in excess of 30 mph accompanied the precipitation. Widespread blowing and drifting was reported with drifts in some areas a couple feet deep. Travel was severely hampered during this event and many accidents were reported.

Winter Storm in CRAWFORD, PENNSYLVANIA
From 27-JAN-09 20:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow began during the evening hours of the 27th and continued through the evening of the 28th. The snow was heaviest during the midday and afternoon hours of the 28th with visibilities dropping at or below one half miles at times. The snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain for a period of time across much of the county. Northern areas experienced only a short duration of the mixed precipitation, while central and southern areas of the county experienced several hours of freezing rain that accumulated to around a quarter of an inch. There were reports of the ice coating trees and power lines, but there were no reports of significant power outages or downed trees. Snowfall amounts ranged between 6.0 and 12.0 inches. Trained spotters measured 11.5 inches about five miles west of Meadville, 10.0 inches in Crossingville, 9.0 inches in Titusville, but only 8.5 inches in Meadville. West to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with occasional gusts in excess of 30 mph accompanied the precipitation. Widespread blowing and drifting was reported with drifts in some areas a couple feet deep.  Travel was severely hampered during this event and many accidents were reported.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA
From 27-JAN-09 20:30:00 to 28-JAN-09 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 700.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow began during the evening hours of the 27th and continued through the evening of the 28th. The snow was heaviest during the daytime hours of the 28th with visibilities dropping at or below one half miles at times. Snowfall amounts ranged between 9.0 and 14.0 inches. Trained spotters across the area measured 14.0 inches in Northeast, 11.0 inches in Lake City, and 9.0 inches in Amity Township. At the Erie Airport, 10.1 inches of snow was measured. West to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with occasional gusts in excess of 30 mph accompanied the snow. Widespread blowing and drifting was reported with drifts in some areas a couple feet deep.  Travel was severely hampered during this event and many accidents were reported.