Crawford and Erie counties residents should brace for significant winter weather this weekend, as the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Sunday evening until Tuesday evening.
The watch area includes Corry, Erie, Edinboro, Titusville, Union City, and Meadville.
Forecasters warn that the region might see 5 to 10 inches of lake-effect snow.
During heavy snowfall, visibility may drop to less than a quarter mile, with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour in well-organized snow bands.
Gusty gusts, combined with the weight of snow on tree branches, might result in downed power lines and scattered outages.
The storm’s timing may hinder travel throughout the Monday morning and evening commutes, as well as the Tuesday morning commute.
Authorities have noted that many trees in the area still retain leaves, raising the risk of branches falling under the weight of wet snow and potentially interrupting electricity lines.
Residents should regularly follow forecasts, as lake effect snow can cause quickly shifting conditions over short distances. Sudden reductions in visibility and poor road conditions are possible. Drivers and commuters should use caution and plan for challenging traffic throughout the event.