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As winter storms continue to wreak havoc across the Great Lakes area, millions of Americans are preparing to deal with several feet of lake-effect snow and bitter cold temperatures over the coming days.
A large portion of the population residing downwind of Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario are currently under lake-effect snow warnings, with significant snowfall expected in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York this weekend. Particularly alarming is the recent report from the Weather Prediction Center stating that western New York has received roughly four feet of snow in recent days, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency in 11 counties by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The impact of these severe weather conditions is already being felt by residents across the affected regions. Erie, Pennsylvania homeowners have been seen shoveling snow off their driveways and sidewalks for hours on end, as they struggle to keep up with the heavy accumulation of snow. Erie native Richard Korytowski told CNN affiliate WICU that he had spent four hours shoveling snow the previous day and had already been at it for an hour on the current day.
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Lake-effect snow occurs when cold, wind-driven air passes over the warm waters of the Great Lakes, resulting in heavy snowfall in certain areas. Forecasters are predicting that up to two feet of additional snow could fall in the coming days, with Pennsylvania, northern Ohio, and western New York expected to receive 1-2 feet of snow through Monday. In fact, some areas like North East, Pennsylvania and Ashtabula County, Ohio have already received more than 40 inches of snow.
Residents are being urged to exercise caution while traveling, as whiteout conditions and treacherous roadways are expected to make driving hazardous in many regions. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center has warned that temperatures are set to plummet 15-25 degrees below average across the eastern US until the middle of next week, due to an Arctic chill descending southward from Canada.
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As millions of Thanksgiving travelers make their way home, it is feared that post-holiday travel could become extremely difficult if not impossible in certain areas. Emergency services are already stretched thin, prompting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to call in the National Guard to assist stranded motorists and ensure that help can reach those in need.
Cities like New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati are all expected to experience below-average temperatures throughout the week. In Ohio, the Ohio Department of Transportation has mobilized 25 crew members to work around the clock in Ashtabula County, where a state of emergency was declared. Similarly, in New York, the Buffalo Bills are asking for volunteers to help clear snow from Highmark Stadium ahead of their game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.
By Monday, the brunt of the winter storm is expected to have passed, with temperatures gradually rising back to near-average levels. However, the impact of this extreme weather event will likely be felt for days to come, as residents in the affected areas continue to dig out from the heavy snowfall and bitter cold. In the meantime, authorities are urging everyone to stay safe and to heed all warnings and advisories related to the ongoing winter storm.
