Lake Effect Snow Warning issued December 31 at 3:12PM EST until January 5 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Cleveland OH

* WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow expected. New snow accumulations
between 8 and 20 inches through Thursday afternoon with
intermittent lake effect snow bands through the weekend that may
bring totals up to 2 to 3 feet. The most favored locations for the
highest totals will be the higher elevation areas of southern and
eastern Erie County and northern Crawford County. Winds gusting as
high as 35 mph.

* WHERE…Crawford, Northern Erie, and Southern Erie Counties.

* WHEN…From 7 AM Wednesday to 7 PM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS…Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below 1/4
mile due to falling and blowing snow. Travel will become very
difficult and should be postponed. The hazardous conditions will
impact travel during the typical morning and evening commutes from
Wednesday through Sunday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…A low pressure system will bring widespread
rain to the region today and tonight. This system will extend a
cold front across the area tonight and rain will transition to
snow for Wednesday with significant lake enhancement expected.
Lake effect snow squalls will persist across Northwest
Pennsylvania for Wednesday into Thursday with the highest snowfall
rates and total accumulations tied to the higher elevations of
southern and eastern Erie County and northern Crawford County.
Snow will begin to lift north toward Lake Erie on Thursday and
bring a relative lull in heavy snow squalls on Thursday night.
Snow is expected to return for Friday and into the weekend and
bring additional snowfall accumulations that could replicate total
snowfall received on Wednesday and Thursday, resulting in total
snowfall amounts in the 2 to 3 feet range.