LOCAL

Snow is in the forecast for Erie, Chautauqua counties. Here's how much you can expect

Valerie Myers
Erie Times-News

Monday is the first day of spring, but winter isn't done with us yet.

The Erie region can expect gusty winds and one to 2 inches of snow Saturday plus 3 to 5 more inches Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service forecast office in Cleveland.

Ready or not, there's more snow in the forecast this weekend.

There's worse news for Chautauqua County, New York. The National Weather Service office in Buffalo has issued a winter storm watch for the county from Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Up to 7 inches of snow and winds gusting as high as 40 mph are possible where lake-effect snow bands persist.

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

The Erie forecast

Snowfall Saturday and Sunday could total 7 inches.

On Saturday, winds will gust as high as 28 mph during the day and 39 mph overnight. Chance of precipitation is 40% during the day, increasing to 80% overnight.

High temperature Saturday will be about 31 degrees. Sunday's high will be about 32 degrees.

"The snow will be lake-effect in nature as winds fetch moisture off Lake Erie and potentially Lake Michigan," said Salix Iverson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

A high-pressure system moving into the area Sunday will lessen the probability of snow next week, she said. Temperatures for the first day of spring are expected to top 40 degrees. Rain is expected by mid-week.

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The Chautauqua forecast

Chance of snow is 50% Saturday, increasing to 60% Saturday night. One to 3 inches of snow is expected Saturday night, with higher totals in persistent bands of lake-effect snow.

High temperature Saturday will be about 31 degrees.

High temperature Sunday will be about 28 degrees with more snow likely Sunday morning.

Find the latest forecast for your ZIP code, radar and more at GoErie.com/weather.

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.