One for the record books

Yet another winter storm is bearing down on Erie beginning late tonight and is expected to last through much of Wednesday. Although it could drop as much as a foot of new snow on us, the storm itself isn't going to be one for the record books -- but it will certainly put this winter into the record books. In fact, any snow from here on out will be part of some sort of record for us here in Erie. Where do we stand?

So far this winter, 112" of snow has fallen in Erie (or at least at the airport where the official measurements are taken). So far in January alone, we have received 41.5". Where does this stand historically?

Top ten snowiest winters in Erie
1. 149.1 2000-01
2. 143.0 2002-03
3. 142.8 1977-78
4. 131.3 1993-94
5. 129.2 1995-96
6. 124.9 1985-86
7. 122.6 2004-05
8. 120.0 1970-71
9. 118.7 2007-08
10. 115.9 1963-64

So, that means that this winter, with 112 inches, is less than four inches away from getting into the top ten list. With up to 12" forecasted for tonight and tomorrow, we could easily be in the #7 spot by midnight tomorrow night. And with February, March, and April to go, I would think that the all-time record may be in jeopardy. However, with the lake completely frozen now, lake effect has essentially been shut off. We have to rely on storms like the one we are going to get tomorrow.

January Snowfall Records (Top 10)
1. 62.4" in 1978
2. 59.9" in 2004
3. 57.9" in 1999
4. 57.2" in 1985
5. 51.8" in 2003
6. 46.9" in 1994
7. 41.5" in 2009 <-- So far this year
8. 38.8" in 2005
9. 38.3" in 1945
10. 37.7" in 2007
(Erie snow records can be seen here)

With only five days left in the month, it will seem pretty tough to break the all-time snowiest January on record, but I would imagine we'd climb to at least #5 on the list.

As our next storm inches closer to us, I have noticed that the weather guys keep increasing our expected snow amounts. I love when that happens! What was originally expected to miss Erie completely is now expected to put Erie in the path of heaviest snowfall. So, I feel sad for those in southern PA and the Virginia's who wanted snow. Now they're just going to have a nasty icestorm.