Ready for more snow? New lake-effect warning issued for Erie ...

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Salvation Army seeks volunteers to help shovel out Erie's snowbound

Charles DeJesus, soldier in charge of the Salvation Army's Erie Temple Corps, discusses the organization's snow removal project.

• Erie and Crawford counties are under a lake-effect snow warning from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday morning.
• The National Weather Service forecasts an additional 10 to 18 inches of snow accumulation, with higher amounts possible in some areas.
• Strong winds up to 50 mph could create hazardous travel conditions due to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
• The heavy snow and wind could potentially cause damage to structures.

Additional snow, possibly 18 inches or more of it, could be headed to parts of Erie County that already are digging out from several feet of snow that fell after Thanksgiving.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland early Wednesday issued a new lake-effect snow warning for Erie and Crawford counties from Wednesday at 4 p.m. until Saturday at 1 a.m. It replaces a winter storm watch that first was issued Tuesday and follows a dayslong lake-effect snow warning that expired Tuesday at 7 p.m.

More: Take a web-cam tour of Erie-area weather conditions

The lake-effect snow warning alert specifically included Corry, Union City, Edinboro and Erie.

Why has the lake-effect snow warning been issued?

An Arctic front will cross the region Wednesday night and could bring a band of heavier snow with quickly deteriorating conditions, including a quick inch or 2 inches of snow, visibility of one-fourth of a mile or less and wind gusts to 45 mph, according to the weather service. Travel could quickly become difficult across the region.

Lake-effect snow bands will then develop overnight, the weather service said. Wind gusts as high as 50 mph could lead to blowing snow and falling visibility. The high winds and density of the snowpack across the area could result in damage to structures, the weather service warns.

How much snow could Erie County get?

The lake-effect snow warning forecasts 10 inches to 18 inches of new snow from Wednesday night through early Saturday, with greater amounts possible in higher terrains of southern and eastern Erie County and northern Crawford County.

The weather service forecast for Erie calls for snow showers Wednesday, accumulating to less than half an inch, and 3 inches to 5 inches of new snow Wednesday night. The high temperature will be near 33 and the low around 26.

On Thursday, snow could be heavy at times, possibly piling up 4 inches to 8 inches during the day and 2 inches to 4 inches at night. The high will be around 33 and the low near 26.

Friday's forecast is for the likelihood of snow showers, possibly accumulating and inch to 3 inches during the day and 2 inches to 4 inches at night. The high will be around 32 and the low near 24.

There is a 60% chance of snow showers Saturday, mainly before 1 p.m., and a high near 34 and low around 29.

The weather service calls for a warmup starting Sunday, with high temperatures of 44 or higher at least through Tuesday.

Stay up to date on Erie-area weather

Return to GoErie.com for updates. Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images for your ZIP code at goerie.com/weather. Download the GoErie app for iOS or Android for mobile-friendly forecasts. Tour Erie-area conditions by webcams.

Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.