White Christmas: Pennsylvania Insane Snowfall Breaks Record in Two-Days (VIDEO)
The city of Erie, Pennsylvania is greeting White Christmas with record 53″ of snow covered in just two days.
Snow Record
As it was expected, a snow storm started after 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, total accumulation had reached 56.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
The 1 PM snow observation at Erie International Airport was 1.5″ of new snow since 7 AM. This brings the daily total to 20.5″ of snow. The 2-day total since midnight Christmas Day is 54.5″ of snow. The storm total since snow began after 7 PM Christmas Eve is 56.5″ of snow. #pawx
— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) 26 грудня 2017 р.
The two-days snowfall shattered a city record and became a largest-ever snowfall over such short period. Data from the NWS puts Erie’s Christmas 2017 accumulation ahead of a 1958 storm in Morgantown, which saw 44 inches pile up over the same period.
This beats the 13-day total snowfall record for Erie, PA. Previous record was 52.8″ from 12/31/98-1/12/99.
— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) 26 грудня 2017 р.
As for today, the total since Dec. 23 is to more than 62.9 inches of snow in.
The 62.9″ of snow for the storm total is the 4-day total (12/23 – 12/26). The lake-effect storm total is up to 60.5″ which runs from 12/24-12/26.
— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) 27 грудня 2017 р.
It’s not over yet
According to National Weather Service snowfall is expected to continue through Wednesday afternoon. Ir also possible that ice around the Mississippi Valley to the Carolinas.
The city of Erie declared a Snow Emergency on Tuesday, Erie Police said.
“Roads are dangerous and impassable,” police said on Facebook. “This is an incredible amount of snow that we’re trying to move and (we) appreciate resident cooperation. Residents should stay off of City of Erie streets until it stops snowing, and we can get the roads open.”
Flight cancellations
Christmas Day weather caused seven flight cancellations and 235 delays across the United States on Monday, mostly in Detroit, Chicago and Boston, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.
FlightAware forecast 28 cancellations for Tuesday, and eight for Wednesday.
Nexter prepared an easy guide about what to do if your flight was delayed or canceled.
Why it’s happening?
Atmospheric scientist Angela Fritz explains in The Washington Post that very specific conditions are required to generate so much snow:
“To put it simply, lake effect snow occurs when cold air passes over relatively warm lake water, picks up some of that moisture from the lake and transports it to land, where it falls as snow. The biggest lake effect snow storms tend to happen in November and early December, when water temperatures are still pretty mild. A big cold snap can convert that warm moisture into a lot of snow — and fast.”
Here are most impressive Erie city snowfall photos shared via Twitter.
A historic snowfall for #Erie. NWS says 34 inches so far. I’ve spent a couple hours just getting close to being able to get out, with more snow falling. #erielive pic.twitter.com/ErSo8e2IsW
— Doug Oathout (@ETNoathout) 26 грудня 2017 р.
Rose and I are trying to keep a path shoveled.. more photos to follow.. Still coming down… over the 50 inch mark in 30 hours! Redfield NY pic.twitter.com/GG0U31Yqjh
— Carolyn Yerdon (@CYerdon) 26 грудня 2017 р.
This is insane! We have seen 92.5 inches of snow this month. 19″ since midnight, and 53″ since Christmas Day. #Erie #Snowmageddon pic.twitter.com/COiNJja6rx
— David Wolter (@DavidWolter1) 26 грудня 2017 р.
So, since 12 AM Christmas Day, #EriePA has gotten over 55 inches of snow. Their average for December and January COMBINED is just over 57 inches. Here’s what Erie looks like right now: pic.twitter.com/NigHc79iGD
— Drew (@DrewMacFarlane) 26 грудня 2017 р.
No parking. #EriePA #Erie pic.twitter.com/7O4lTH9ip3
— Sam Moore (@saymooresam) 26 грудня 2017 р.
The snow is completely insane in #Erie right now, and I say that as a born-and-raised Erieite who is not easily impressed. @ohiodotcom @MarkJWeather ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/lTykUs8OkF
— Lynne Sherwin (@LynneSherwinABJ) 26 грудня 2017 р.
See also:
- Watch Out, America – Two Winter Storms are Coming
- If Your Flight Is Canceled This Christmas: BEST Alternative Options
- 4 Things To Do If Your Flight is Delayed or Cancelled: Best Winter 2018 Guide
