Great Lakes Insurance Services Group
Starting Friday, Nov. 29, and continuing into Tuesday, Dec. 3, Erie County and surrounding areas of the Great Lakes have been under a State of Emergency due to the powerful Lake-Effect Snowstorm.
Lake Effect Snow occurs when cold air moves across large, warmer bodies of water, picking up moisture that then condenses and falls as snow—sometimes at rates of more than 2 inches per hour. According to the National Weather Service, “Northwestern portions of Pennsylvania have received significant snowfall, including the Erie County area, which has seen between 24 to 30 inches of snow since Saturday.”
Our hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, is no stranger to snow, but we’ve recently set a record-breaking storm. As of Monday, Dec. 2, Erie was named the snowiest city in the country, surpassing Anchorage, Alaska, and Denver, Colorado, according to the Golden Snow Globe National Snow Contest.
The National Weather Service is forecasting additional snow accumulations of 8 to 15 inches for much of Erie County. This storm has caused widespread disruption, including school closures, business shutdowns, and road blockages, with Governor Josh Shapiro calling in the National Guard for assistance.
Here are some snowfall totals as of Sunday, Dec. 1, from GoErie.com:
- Girard: 57½ inches, 6:12 p.m.
- North East: 50.2 inches, 7 p.m.
- Northwest Harborcreek Township: 45.2 inches, 8 p.m.
- East-southeast Erie: 42½ inches, 6:50 p.m.
- Southwest Wesleyville: 35.9 inches, 9:04 p.m.
- Northwest Edinboro: 26 inches, 5 p.m.
- Union City: 17.3 inches, 7 p.m.
As we all dig out of this winter wonderland, remember that Great Lakes Insurance is here for your snow coverage needs. ❄️ Whether it’s protecting your vehicle or ensuring your home is covered in case of winter damage, we’ve got you covered!
Images from Erie News Now (1-2) and Great Lakes Insurance Employees (3-6)
