2-day snowfall in Erie smashes local, state records

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Forecasters say a Christmas storm dumped a record amount of snow on the Pennsylvania city of Erie and surrounding areas.

The National Weather Service office in Cleveland says the storm brought 34 inches on Christmas Day — a new all-time daily snowfall record for Erie.

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And another 19 inches fell before dawn Tuesday, bringing the total to 53 inches — the greatest two-day total in commonwealth history. The previous record was the 44 inches that fell in Morgantown in March 1958.

The city of Erie issued a snow emergency, citing "dangerous and impassable" roads, and asked residents to stay off city streets until the snow stops and roads can reopen.

State police and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation are urging people to avoid travel, citing poor visibility and deteriorating conditions.

Associated Press