It just keeps coming and coming’: Lake-effect snow will drop another foot or two in portions of the US.
Wintertime is here, and Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Ontario are proving that point in more than one way. The Great Lakes region is famous for its lake-effect snow, where frigid winds intersect with the relatively warm waters of the lakes, creating massive snowfall that can last for days. This year, the snow is coming down harder than ever, with some areas facing the possibility of multiple feet of snowfall, along with bitter cold temperatures that will linger for days.
On Sunday, several feet of lake-effect snow will make driving conditions in portions of the Great Lakes area treacherous at best and impossible at worst. Coupled with brutally cold temperatures spread throughout the US, this snowstorm is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Over two million people living downwind of Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario are under lake-effect snow warnings, with significant snowfall expected in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York this weekend.
People in western New York have been especially hard hit, with roughly four feet of snow falling in recent days. As a result, most of the lake-effect warnings in this area are set to expire Sunday night through Monday, but in northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania, the warnings are prolonged until Tuesday morning. The snow won’t be stopping anytime soon, so residents in these areas need to be prepared for the worst.
Along with the snow comes bitter cold that is expected to last for days. About 70% of the entire US will see temperatures below freezing, with major cities like New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati experiencing below-average temperatures all week. The frigid temperatures combined with the heavy snowfall have made life incredibly difficult for residents in these areas, requiring them to dig out their homes, cars, and sidewalks for hours on end just to maintain some semblance of normalcy.
Governors in the affected states have declared emergencies and called in the National Guard to assist with storm operations and help stranded motorists. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 11 western and central counties, with over 100 National Guard members supporting efforts to respond to the snowstorm. Similarly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called in the National Guard to help stranded motorists and ensure emergency services could reach those in need. It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation as the winter storm continues to wreak havoc across the region.
As millions of Thanksgiving revelers head home, they are met with a winter wonderland that is anything but wonderful. The National Weather Service has warned that treacherous driving conditions and whiteout snow are making travel nearly impossible for some motorists. The extreme winter weather is expected to continue, with temperatures dropping well below normal across the eastern US until the middle of next week. The Arctic chill descending southward from Canada is responsible for the unusually cold temperatures and heavy snowfall in the affected regions.
Forecasters predict that lake-effect snow will continue to add up, with areas in Pennsylvania, northern Ohio, and western New York expecting to receive 1 to 2 feet of snow through Monday. CNN meteorologists are forecasting 1-2 feet of snow in places like Watertown, New York, where snow has already buried homes and cars under nearly four feet of snow. Residents in these areas are struggling to keep up with the relentless snowfall, with some reporting hour upon hour of shoveling and blowing snow just to keep their homes accessible.
Despite the challenges posed by this winter storm, residents are doing their best to cope with the extreme weather conditions. Many are taking precautions to stay safe and warm, stocking up on supplies and preparing for the worst. In places like Orchard Park, New York, where the Buffalo Bills are scheduled to play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, fans are even being asked to help clear the field of snow ahead of game time.
As the snow continues to fall and the temperatures remain well below freezing, residents in the affected areas are hunkering down and bracing themselves for the worst. For many, it’s a reminder of the power of nature and the need for resilience in the face of adversity. Winter has arrived in full force, and those living in the Great Lakes region are feeling its effects more profoundly than ever before. With lake-effect snow continuing to pile up, it’s clear that this winter storm is far from over. For now, all residents can do is stay safe, stay warm, and stay prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store.
