WJET, Nexstar’s ABC affiliate in Erie, Pa., has added a new state-of-the art high-definition digital weather camera atop the Erie Land Lighthouse, the first commissioned lighthouse on the Great Lakes.

Once known as the old Presque Isle Lighthouse, the original wooden lighthouse built in 1818 was eventually replaced in 1867 with the current sandstone tower, located on the bluff at the foot of Lighthouse Street on Erie’s eastside, overlooking the entrance to Presque Isle Bay.

Last used as a navigational aid in 1899, the lighthouse has been restored and maintained by the City of Erie, Erie Western PA Port Authority and Presque Isle Light Station, Inc.

At 56 feet high, the Erie Land Lighthouse tower features breathtaking views of current weather conditions over Presque Isle State Park, Lake Erie, Presque Isle, Misery Bays and along the city’s Lake Erie shoreline.

An iron circular staircase inside the tower, with 78 steps, leads to the lantern room which is 16 feet, 5 inches in diameter.

When operational, a kerosene beacon and a third order Fresnel lens projected a fixed beam of light 128 feet above Lake Erie, 15 to 17 miles offshore.

“This new camera showcases the natural beauty of Presque Isle and Lake Erie, both local treasures,” says Julie Zoumbaris, WJET’S GM. “This camera is just another example of why JET24, FOX66, and YourErie.com is Your Weather Authority with the most experienced team of meteorologists.  Our thanks to the Presque Isle Light Station, Inc. for their assistance with this project.”

This is the tenth camera in the Weather Camera Network. Others include live looks from the Erie Bayfront, Downtown Erie, Erie International Airport, Summit Tower, Edinboro, Girard, Meadville, Conneaut Lake and Warren. You can see these cameras in every newscast on JET24 and FOX66 and they are available 24/7 online at https://www.yourerie.com/wxcam/.

New Jobs Posted To TVNewsCheck

CLICK HERE to see new jobs posted to TVNewsCheck’s Media Job Center including openings for Broadcast Maintenance Engineer, Executive Producer, Digital Content Promotions Producer, two Promotions Producers, IT Support Technician, Chief Political Reporter, Reporter and News Producer.