The first big snow of the season threatened to bury towns in New York along Lakes Erie and Ontario during a weekend crowded with travel and shopping, while winter storm conditions could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions.
A wave of cold Arctic air will expand south and east and bring “dangerous wind chills” to the northern Plains and upper Midwest, the National Weather Service said Saturday, while heavy lake-effect snow could make travel “very difficult or impossible” into the week. Next.
The Meteorological Service reported that temperatures will be approximately 15 to 20 degrees lower than average in parts of the northern plains, and temperatures will be approximately 10 degrees lower than average in parts of the eastern third of the country.
Cold weather warnings were issued for parts of North Dakota on Saturday, and high pressure from central Canada will move south into the northern Plains by Monday. A freeze warning will be issued over the central Gulf Coast states to the southeast, the weather service said.
Light to moderate snow is expected from the central Mississippi Valley to central Appalachia on Saturday, with similar snow conditions over parts of the northern Plains, upper Mississippi Valley and central Appalachia on Sunday, the National Weather Service said.
In Michigan, heavy lake effect snowfall is expected to continue in northern parts of the state through the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service in Gaylord. Some areas of the Upper Peninsula could see up to 3 feet (0.9 meters) of snow Sunday night through Monday, said Lily Chapman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
As snowflakes began to fly on Friday, meteorologists in New York State warned that 1.2 to 1.8 meters of snow could fall in Watertown and other areas east of Lake Ontario until Monday.
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After an unusually mild fall, up to 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) of snow was possible along the Lake Erie and south Buffalo lake effect ranges known for hitting the region with snowfall rates of 2 feet to 0.9 metres. Four inches (five to 10 centimeters) per hour. Lake snow occurs when warm, moist air rising from a body of water mixes with the cold, dry air above us.
“The lake temperature is 50 degrees (10 degrees Celsius). We’re about six degrees higher than where we should be this time of year, and that’s why we’re seeing these heavy events impacting the lake,” Erie County Public Works Commissioner William Geary said. “Forecast for the next two weeks until December, we may see more.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency in the targeted counties, allowing state agencies to mobilize resources. Rapidly deteriorating conditions Friday caused closures along Interstate 90, and tandem and commercial vehicles were banned from Interstate 86 in western New York and most of U.S. Route 219 starting Friday afternoon.
“There are a significant number of vehicles going off the road on Route 219 right now,” Gregory Butcher, Erie County Deputy Director for Preparedness and Homeland Security, said at an afternoon news conference.
Butcher said ATVs and snowmobiles have been positioned throughout the county to assist first responders if needed.
The Buffalo Bills called for volunteers to clear snow at Highmark Stadium, where more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) of snow was possible before Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Last year, a major storm caused by the lake forced the NFL to postpone the Bills’ Wild Card home game against Pittsburgh from Sunday to Monday.
“It’s going to be slow, there’s no doubt about that,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, adding that the heavy snow is expected to end by kickoff.
https://x.com/BuffaloBills/status/1862585596390043814
At the same time, the team was preparing to play in any conditions.
“We’re trying to stay on top of it,” coach Sean McDermott said Friday.
The Bills went 9-2, their best start since 1992, and with a win Sunday will secure their fifth straight AFC East title.
Lakeshore snow also blanketed parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in a system expected to continue through the weekend. The area was covered in snow by Friday afternoon, with more than a foot (0.3 metres) of snow in some places.
“We have a westerly and northwesterly flow system and this cold air mass over the UP,” said Chapman of the National Weather Service. “So, it’s a very good setup for a long-lasting lake-effect snow event.”
Gusty winds, especially near the Great Lakes, affected visibility in Michigan, and Chapman urged caution on the roads.
Joe DeLizio, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said road visibility was low but he wasn’t aware of any major accidents yet.
“I haven’t heard much about the problems, but obviously travel is very difficult,” DeLizio said.
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