As biting cold temperatures sweep across the US, parts of the Great Lakes face more than a foot of additional lake-effect snow through Tuesday, further complicating travel for cities already blanketed by snowfall. Over 5 feet of snow fell in western New York, with Barnes Corners seeing 65.5 inches.
Lake-effect warnings are in effect for parts of western New York, northeastern Ohio, and northwestern Pennsylvania through Tuesday. The cold is expected to persist, with nearly 70% of the continental US feeling temperatures below 32 degrees. Cities including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati will experience below-average temperatures for the entire week.
Homeowners in Erie, Pennsylvania, shoveled large piles of snow and used snowblowers to clear their driveways and walkways, with one resident saying it was the most snow they’ve ever seen. Others described treacherous conditions, with some plow drivers getting stuck.
With more snow in the forecast, lake-effect snow will continue to affect areas near the Great Lakes. North East, Pennsylvania, saw over 42 inches of snow, while Erie County, Ohio, received around 40 inches. Travel has been difficult, with road conditions deteriorating rapidly, and forecasters urge people to stay off the roads.
The National Guard has been called in to assist stranded motorists and emergency responders in Pennsylvania and New York. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called in his state’s National Guard, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency order for 11 counties.
Temperatures are expected to fall as much as 15-25 degrees below average across the eastern half of the US, with temperatures potentially reaching 10-20 degrees below average in parts of the Northern Plains, Ohio Valley, and Eastern Seaboard.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills played their home game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night despite heavy snowfall, with crew and volunteers assisting in clearing the field.
