Snow, sleet, rain, ice, wind: Winter weather advisory issued for Erie, nearby counties
The prospect for messy mixed precipitation is driving the National Weather Service to issue winter weather advisories on Wednesday for all counties in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Warren and Forest counties, among others, are under advisories Wednesday, as are Ashtabula County, Ohio, and Chautauqua County, New York. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has reduced speed limits on interstates in the region.
Here's what the weather service forecasts, depending on where you live or will travel.
More: Take a web-cam tour of Erie-area weather conditions
Forecast for Erie and Crawford counties
The weather service in Cleveland has issued a winter weather advisory for Erie and Crawford counties Wednesday until 4 p.m.
Mixed precipitation is expected, with total snow and sleet accumulations of 2 inches to 4 inches and a light glaze of ice. Plan on slippery road conditions.
The forecast calls for snow across the area Wednesday morning, becoming a wintry mix by afternoon. Wednesday morning could see snowfall rates of one inch per hour. More lake-effect accumulation is likely through Thursday night.
The full forecast is for snow and sleet before 2 p.m. Wednesday, then rain, snow and sleet, followed by rain after 3 p.m. New accumulation of one inch to 2 inches is possible. Wind will be from the southeast at 11 to 16 mph, increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon and possibly gusting as high as 39 mph.
Rain will continue Wednesday night, transitioning to snow early Thursday. New snow accumulation of one inch to 2 inches is possible. Winds gusts up to 39 mph are possible. The low temperature will be near 30 degrees.
An additional 2 inches to 4 inches of snow is possible Thursday, when the high will be near 31. Wind gusts to 32 mph are possible. Two inches to 4 inches more snow is possible Thursday night. The low will be near 24.
⚠❄ Snow will arrive late tonight into early Wed morning across the region, becoming heavy at times. By late morning/early afternoon, snow will transition to a wintry mix, becoming rain by the afternoon with the exception of NW OH where snow will persist. pic.twitter.com/VJkZJDQHu2
— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) January 25, 2023
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Venango, Mercer, Forest, Clarion forecasts
The weather service in Pittsburgh has issued a winter weather advisory in effect Wednesday until 4 p.m. for Venango, Mercer, Forest, Clarion and Jefferson counties.
Mixed precipitation is in the forecast. Snow accumulation between 2 inches and 4 inches is likely. Winds will gust as high as 35 mph.
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Warren County weather forecast
The weather service in State College has issued a winter weather advisory for Warren and McKean counties in effect Wednesday until 7 p.m.
Mixed precipitation is expected, with total snow accumulations of 2 inches to 4 inches and a light glaze of ice. Winds will gust as high as 40 mph.
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PennDOT makes interstate speed reductions, other restrictions
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation put weather-related restrictions in place Wednesday.
A 45-mph speed restriction is in effect on portions of Interstate 79. Additionally, commercial vehicles may travel in the right lane only in restriction-affected areas: I-79 from the beginning point in Erie County to the Cranberry Township area in Butler County, and I-80 from the Ohio state line in Mercer County to Exit 161 (Route 220/Route 26, Bellefonte) in Centre County.
A Tier 1 vehicle restriction is in place for Interstate 80 from eastbound and westbound from the I-79 interchange in Mercer County to the New Jersey state line, and on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on I-80 eastbound from the I-79 interchange in Mercer County to Exit 123 (Route 970, Shawville) in Clearfield County.
Vehicles not permitted on affected roadways while Tier I restrictions are in place are tractors without trailers; tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers; tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers; enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV; passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers; recreational vehicles/motorhomes; school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches, and motorcycles.
Ahead of snowy conditions and cold temperatures across most of the state tonight and tomorrow, we’re planning some vehicle restrictions on certain interstates. Find the full list: https://t.co/aKsjUl58nY
For the most up-to-date info, visit https://t.co/xBnMAKHyVI! pic.twitter.com/cyQHF7p2eQ— PA Department of Transportation (@PennDOTNews) January 24, 2023
Weather forecast for Ashtabula County, Ohio
The weather service in Cleveland has issued a winter weather advisory for Ashtabula County, Ohio, on Wednesday from until 4 p.m.
Total snow accumulation should be 2 inches to 4 inches, becoming a wintry mix and, later in the afternoon, rain. Up to one inch of snow could fall hourly during the heaviest morning snowfall. Additional lake-effect snow accumulation is likely Thursday.
The heaviest snow seems to be along and north of I-70 right now. This is the view from one of our https://t.co/ulNKKYsusD cameras on US 33 in Union County. More than 1,100 crews are out, statewide, but this morning's commute will be challenging for a good portion of Ohio. pic.twitter.com/rlLbf1rn6q
— Ohio Dept of Transportation (@ODOT_Statewide) January 25, 2023
Weather forecast for Chautauqua County, New York
The weather Service in Buffalo has issued a winter weather advisory Wednesday from 7 a.m. through 10 p.m. The forecast calls for 3 inches to 6 inches of snow as well as sleet, freezing rain and light ice. Winds will gust as high as 45 mph.
More snow accumulation is possible Wednesday night, with breezy conditions continuing. An additional 3 inches to 5 inches of snow is expected Thursday, when the high will be near 30 and the low around 22.
Get the latest forecast, radar images and weather news for where you live at GoErie.com/weather.
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What is a winter weather advisory?
The weather service issues a winter weather advisory when "snow, blowing snow, ice, sleet, or a combination of those elements is expected but conditions should not be hazardous enough to meet (winter weather) warning criteria. Be prepared for winter driving conditions and possible travel difficulties. Use caution when driving."
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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County PA weather: Snow, sleet, rain, ice in forecast for region
