On Sunday, the United States is facing a significant amount of lake-effect snow which is expected to drop another foot or two in portions of the Great Lakes area. This weather phenomenon is causing dangerous driving conditions with several feet of snow accumulation in certain regions, while bitter cold temperatures are spreading throughout the country.
Currently, over two million people who live downwind of Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario are under lake-effect snow warnings. This includes areas in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York that are expected to receive significant snowfall this weekend. The National Weather Prediction Center has reported approximately four feet of snow in western New York in recent days. Most of the lake-effect snow warnings in western New York will expire on Sunday night through Monday. However, warnings in northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania are prolonged until Tuesday morning.
The cold temperatures are expected to last for days, with around 70% of the entire United States experiencing temperatures below 32 degrees. Major cities such as New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati will have below-average temperatures throughout the week. CNN affiliate WICU reported that residents in Erie, Pennsylvania are working hard to shovel and clear snow from their driveways and sidewalks.
One resident, Richard Korytowski, mentioned that he had been shoveling for several hours over the weekend and was not expecting this much snow. Lake-effect snow occurs when cold, wind-driven air passes over a warm lake, such as the Great Lakes.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 11 western and central New York counties on Friday. Authorities in Amherst issued a code blue alert for Erie County residents to seek help due to the severe weather conditions. Governor Hochul stated that state agencies and more than 100 National Guard members are assisting with storm operations in response to the snowstorm affecting Western New York and the North Country.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also called in the National Guard to help stranded motorists and ensure that emergency services can reach those in need. Winter weather has struck as millions of Thanksgiving travelers are returning home. The National Weather Service office in Buffalo cautioned that whiteout conditions are making driving treacherous and potentially dangerous in the affected areas, making post-holiday travel very difficult to impossible for some motorists.
Forecasters anticipate that temperatures in the eastern United States will be between 15-25 degrees below normal until the middle of next week as Arctic chill descends southward from Canada. The Weather Prediction Center is forecasting high temperatures to be 10-20 degrees below average on Sunday and Monday from the Northern Plains to the Ohio Valley, moving southeast along much of the east coast by Monday.
Lake-effect snow is expected to bring an additional two feet of snow to regions in Pennsylvania, northern Ohio, and western New York through Monday. Meteorologists are predicting 1-2 feet of snow in Watertown, New York, with the heaviest snowfall expected in areas downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. This will impact northeast Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, and western New York state.
Residents of North East, Pennsylvania received 42 inches of snow between Thursday night and Saturday afternoon, while Erie received 31 inches. Some areas in New York, such as Barnes Corners and Copenhagen, saw 46 inches of snow by Sunday morning.
In Ashtabula County, Ohio, residents have experienced heavy snowfall, with parts of the county receiving up to 40 inches of snow. Residents are dealing with challenging conditions as the snow continues to accumulate. Despite the difficult weather, some residents are reminiscing about the old-fashioned winters of their childhood. One resident, Kathy Davis, remarked that the snow just keeps coming.
Forecasters are warning of whiteout conditions and rough travel in affected areas. Motorists are being urged to exercise caution while driving, with some areas receiving additional snowfall until Tuesday morning. The Buffalo Bills are also preparing for snowy conditions at Highmark Stadium, requesting assistance from fans to clear the snow-covered field in Orchard Park, New York.
As the lake-effect snow continues to impact various regions in the United States, residents are bracing for challenging conditions in the coming days. With significant snow accumulation and frigid temperatures, people are urged to exercise caution and be prepared for the harsh winter weather. Despite the challenges, communities are coming together to support one another and navigate through the storm.
