Erie Weather Radar

Erie Live Weather

Erie Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Erie cloud cover radar map and the Erie precipitation radar map.

Erie Hourly Weather Forecast

Erie 7-Day Weather Forecast

Erie Weather Overview

Erie sits on the southeastern shore of Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania, where the humid-continental climate creates one of the snowiest urban areas in the country. Cold Arctic air sweeps across the warmer lake water, picks up moisture, and dumps feet of snow within hours. The erie weather radar becomes essential viewing when lake-effect bands set up, letting residents track exactly where the heaviest snow will fall.

Lake-effect snow is the dominant threat. Erie averages 101.4 inches of snow per year, and individual storms routinely shatter records. The Christmas Blizzard of December 2017 set a Pennsylvania record when 65.1 inches fell in just 60 hours, with 34 inches on Christmas Day alone. The NWS office in Cleveland (WFO CLE) covers Erie and issues frequent winter warnings when snow bands target the region. The erie weather radar during these events shows narrow, intense bands dumping several inches per hour while areas just miles away see clear skies. Monitoring the erie weather radar gives you critical minutes to prepare before blizzard conditions hit.

Severe thunderstorms roll through Erie in spring and summer, bringing damaging winds, large hail, and occasional tornadoes. Flash flooding is a concern too — Erie receives 42.6 inches of precipitation annually, and slow-moving storms can overwhelm drainage systems fast. The erie weather radar tracks these threats in real time, showing where the heaviest rain is falling. Checking the erie pa weather radar during active weather helps you avoid the worst of it.

Erie Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Erie weather radar

Lake-Effect Snow Risk

Erie gets lake-effect snow — and it's wild. Cold Arctic air blows over the warmer Great Lakes, picks up moisture, and dumps several inches of snow per hour in narrow bands. The tricky part: one neighborhood gets buried while another a few miles away sees blue sky. The radar is the only way to see where those bands are sitting and whether they're about to shift onto you.

Blizzard & Heavy Snow Risk

Erie gets hit by blizzards when Arctic air combines with moisture — 12+ inches of snow, 35+ mph winds, near-zero visibility. On the radar you can watch the storm bands approach and figure out exactly when the worst will arrive. That timing matters: get your errands done before the bands reach you, and be ready for power outages and road closures that can last days.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Erie regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Erie, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Erie's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

How to Use Erie Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Erie weather radar data.

Check Current Conditions

View the real-time weather status at the top of the Erie radar page showing current temperature, wind speed, and sky conditions. During lake-effect snow events, this widget updates every few minutes so you know exactly what's happening outside before you step out the door.

Examine the Radar Map

Watch the animated doppler radar to see where precipitation is falling and how fast it's moving. In Erie, lake-effect snow bands often appear as narrow, intense strips of heavy snow. Toggle between precipitation view and cloud cover to understand the full weather picture across northwestern Pennsylvania.

Review Hourly Forecast

Scroll to the hourly forecast section to see temperature, precipitation probability, and wind changes over the next 24 hours. This is critical during Erie's volatile winter weather when a slight wind shift can move a lake-effect snow band directly over the city or push it elsewhere.

Plan with 7-Day Outlook

Check the extended forecast to spot upcoming storm systems and temperature trends. During Erie's November-through-March snow season, the 7-day outlook helps you plan travel and outdoor work around predicted blizzards, ice storms, or brief warming periods that pause lake-effect snow.

Who Benefits from Erie Weather Radar

How different people use the Erie radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Erie commuters on I-90 and Bayfront Parkway check radar to avoid lake-effect snow bands and whiteout conditions during winter.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Runners at Presque Isle State Park and bayfront trail cyclists use radar to dodge thunderstorms and approaching weather fronts.

Event Planners & Families

Outdoor events at UPMC Park and Bayfront Convention Center rely on hourly forecasts to schedule around severe weather threats.

Outdoor Workers

Construction crews across Erie County monitor doppler radar for incoming lake-effect snow or thunderstorms that halt outdoor work.

Erie Weather FAQ

Common questions about Erie weather patterns and radar

When does lake-effect snow season start in Erie?

Lake-effect snow can begin as early as October and continue through April, though the most intense events typically occur from November through February when temperature contrasts between Lake Erie's water and Arctic air masses are greatest. The Christmas Blizzard of 2017 dumped 65.1 inches in 60 hours during peak season.

How accurate is the Erie weather radar for tracking lake-effect snow bands?

The Erie weather radar excels at tracking lake-effect snow bands because it shows real-time precipitation intensity and movement. These bands are often narrow — just a few miles wide — so radar helps you see exactly where the heaviest snow is falling and whether a band is moving toward or away from your location.

What's the difference between Erie News Now radar and this Erie weather radar?

Erie News Now and Weather Channel provide radar through their local broadcast platforms with commentary and forecasts. This site delivers the same underlying doppler radar data with an interactive map interface, hourly forecasts, and 7-day outlooks without requiring a TV subscription or navigating through ads and news content.

Does the Erie PA weather radar show blizzard conditions?

The radar shows precipitation intensity and movement, which are key blizzard indicators. However, blizzard conditions are defined by wind speed and visibility — both of which require additional data sources beyond radar. Check the current conditions widget and NWS warnings alongside radar imagery during winter storms for the complete picture.

How often does the Erie doppler weather radar update?

Radar imagery updates approximately every 10 minutes during active weather, though slight delays can occur during severe storms when data processing volume increases. Hourly forecasts refresh every hour, and the 7-day outlook updates multiple times daily as new model runs complete.

Can the Erie weather radar predict when a lake-effect snow band will shift?

Radar shows current position and recent movement, which helps you anticipate short-term shifts over the next 30-60 minutes. For longer-range predictions about wind direction changes that move snow bands, combine radar data with hourly wind forecasts and watch for NWS updates from the Cleveland office that covers Erie.