A recent lake-effect snowstorm has caused significant disruptions along the Great Lakes, leading to state emergency declarations in New York and Pennsylvania, Yahoo News reported.
Starting last Friday, a powerful lake-effect snowstorm swept across the Great Lakes region, severely impacting states from Michigan to New York. The storm hit areas along the Interstate 90 corridor east of Cleveland, bringing heavy snowfall and reducing visibility to near-zero in many places.
Travel conditions rapidly deteriorated near the New York-Pennsylvania state line, where near-whiteout conditions were reported. The intense snowfall forced New York authorities to shut down significant portions of Interstate 90 over the weekend.
New York's Governor Kathy Hochul took immediate action to manage the escalating crisis. By late Saturday afternoon, authorities reopened some lanes to passenger traffic, though significant restrictions remained. "The westbound lanes from Exit 57 to the Pennsylvania state line reopened to passenger traffic," Hochul stated, emphasizing the ongoing commercial travel ban from Exit 46 to the state line.
In Pennsylvania, both governors swiftly activated National Guard units to aid in snow clearance and emergency services. This preemptive mobilization aimed to mitigate the storm's impact as snow continued to accumulate heavily near Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Erie, Pennsylvania, reported an unprecedented 22.6 inches of snow on Friday alone, breaking the previous daily record. Similarly, regions east of Lake Erie saw snowfall reaching between 37 to 43 inches by Sunday, with forecasts predicting further significant accumulation.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo reported that the snow was not expected to let up soon. They forecasted over 6 feet of additional snow through Monday for areas east of Lake Ontario, including the Watertown area. This forecast came as states braced for the ongoing challenges posed by the snowstorm.
Mike Seidel, a storm specialist with FOX Weather, highlighted the broader climatic conditions that contributed to the enduring snow cover. "Not much of the powder will melt due to an arctic blast encompassing most of the eastern half of the country," he explained, identifying the freezing temperatures as a factor in the prolonged presence of snow.
The storm also brought rare weather phenomena, such as thundersnow and waterspouts, adding to its severity and the challenge of predicting its full impact. These conditions drew comparisons to a severe blizzard in late 2022 that caused significant damage and fatalities in the Buffalo area, though meteorologists consider the current conditions less extreme.
Throughout the affected regions, local officials urged citizens to exercise caution. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, in particular, emphasized the importance of keeping roads clear during his briefing. "If we get 1 to 2 or 2 to 3 inches [per hour], we can handle that as long as the roads do not get blocked. However, if it is snowing at a rate of 3 to 4 inches an hour, then we have a problem," Poloncarz explained, stressing that traffic congestion could exacerbate the situation dramatically.
Meanwhile, as emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear roads and assist stranded motorists, the community responded largely cooperatively, with residents heeding calls to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare for extended periods indoors.
Ultimately, this severe weather event underscores the unpredictable nature of lake-effect snow and the broad impact these storms can have on large communities, infrastructure, and emergency services across the northeastern United States. As the situation develops, authorities remain vigilant and expect further updates, with new snowfall records possibly being set in the coming days.
