An upper trough moved east across the upper Ohio Valley on January 29th. A large area of snow associated with this feature moved across the region. The snow reached northwestern Pennsylvania late in the afternoon. The snow intensified during the evening commute with visibilities at times under a half mile. Snowfall rates exceed an inch per hour causing significant travel problems. The snow quickly transitioned to lake effect snow during the evening as winds behind the low became northwest to north-northwest.  Lake effect snow showers then continued through the early morning hours.  Some of the snow was heavy with visibilities less than a half mile at times and snowfall rates in excess of an inch per hour.  Most of the snow showers dissipated by daybreak on the 30th.  After a brief lull the snow showers picked up again during the afternoon hours before finally ending for good early in the evening.  Accumulations of greater than 6 inches were common across inland Erie County with most of the snow falling during the late evening hours of the 29th and early morning hours of the 30th.  In Erie County, a peak total of 13.0 inches was reported at Colt Station. Other totals from across inland Erie County included:  10.0 inches south of North East; 8.0 inches in Greene Township; 8.0 inches in McKean and 7.0 inches in Edinboro. Winds gusted to as much as 30 mph during this event causing a lot of blowing and drifting. Many accidents were reported. Some school districts closed or had delayed starts on the 30th.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA
From 29-JAN-18 16:00:00 to 30-JAN-18 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An upper trough moved east across the upper Ohio Valley on January 29th. A large area of snow associated with this feature moved across the region. The snow reached northwestern Pennsylvania late in the afternoon. The snow intensified during the evening commute with visibilities at times under a half mile. Snowfall rates exceed an inch per hour causing significant travel problems. The snow quickly transitioned to lake effect snow during the evening as winds behind the low became northwest to north-northwest. Lake effect snow showers then continued through the early morning hours. Some of the snow was heavy with visibilities less than a half mile at times and snowfall rates in excess of an inch per hour. Most of the snow showers dissipated by daybreak on the 30th. After a brief lull the snow showers picked up again during the afternoon hours before finally ending for good early in the evening. Accumulations of greater than 6 inches were common across inland Erie County with most of the snow falling during the late evening hours of the 29th and early morning hours of the 30th. In Erie County, a peak total of 13.0 inches was reported at Colt Station. Other totals from across inland Erie County included: 10.0 inches south of North East; 8.0 inches in Greene Township; 8.0 inches in McKean and 7.0 inches in Edinboro. Winds gusted to as much as 30 mph during this event causing a lot of blowing and drifting. Many accidents were reported. Some school districts closed or had delayed starts on the 30th.