A severe Arctic chill and record-breaking lake-effect snow are causing hazardous travel conditions in the Great Lakes region, with parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio experiencing several feet of snow and temperatures below freezing. Nearly 70% of the continental US will face below-average temperatures, with four million people under snow warnings. Authorities in affected areas have declared states of emergency and issued travel advisories, urging residents to stay off the roads due to treacherous conditions.
A lake-effect snowstorm hit the Great Lakes region, particularly affecting areas around Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, with up to 6 feet of snow expected by Monday. The storm led to highway closures, including parts of Interstate 90, disrupting travel during the busy Thanksgiving weekend. The National Weather Service warned of hazardous road conditions and whiteout visibility, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 11 counties. The storm is part of a broader Arctic blast affecting temperatures from Minnesota to Texas.
Communities around the Great Lakes are experiencing severe lake-effect snow, with up to 30 inches already fallen in areas like northern Pennsylvania and western New York. A state of emergency has been declared in parts of New York, and the National Guard is on standby. The snowstorm has caused road closures, including a section of Interstate 90, affecting holiday travel. The snow is expected to continue through Monday, with potential for up to four feet in some areas. The phenomenon is driven by cold air from Siberia passing over the unusually warm Great Lakes.
A frigid Arctic air mass has descended on the eastern United States, bringing the coldest temperatures since last winter and triggering a major lake-effect snow event in the Great Lakes region. Temperatures are expected to drop 15 to 25 degrees across a wide area, with nearly 70% of the US population experiencing freezing conditions. Winter weather alerts affect nearly 10 million people, with snow accumulations potentially reaching 4 to 6 feet in some areas. The severe weather has led to dangerous travel conditions and road closures, particularly in New York and Pennsylvania.
The National Weather Service has issued lake effect snow warnings for parts of Upstate New York, including Western New York and the Tug Hill plateau, predicting "formidable" snow bands that could result in multiple feet of snow and difficult travel conditions. The warnings are in effect from Friday morning through Monday, with the most intense snow expected to fall at rates of 2 inches per hour, accompanied by gusty winds reducing visibility. The snow is driven by cold winds over the warm, ice-free Great Lakes, a common occurrence in late November and early December.
A Canadian family experienced a heartwarming surprise when a message in a bottle, written by Makenzie Van Eyk as a fourth grader in 1998, was discovered by a kindergartner at the same school 26 years later. The message, part of a school project about the Great Lakes, was found near its original location in Lake St. Clair. The discovery was particularly special for Makenzie's daughter, Scarlet, who is now a fourth grader at the same school. The teacher who assigned the project expressed amazement at the bottle's survival over the years.
Michigan is expected to experience a touch of winter weather over the weekend with two merging storm systems bringing light snow showers across the state. While the snowfall is anticipated to be spotty and sporadic, all areas should see some precipitation, with 1 to 2 inches of snow expected in places like Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids. Temperatures will be cold enough to feel wintry but will warm into the mid-to-upper 30s, reducing travel concerns as snow is likely to melt off the roads by afternoon. A potential widespread winter storm system could affect the region next week, with more details to come as the situation develops.
The Great Lakes have reached a 50-year record low for ice cover at the start of 2023, with only 0.35% covered in ice compared to the historical average of nearly 10%. This significant decline in ice cover is part of a broader trend linked to climate change, with warmer temperatures reducing the likelihood of ice formation. While reduced ice may benefit the shipping industry, it poses risks for coastal erosion, flooding, and severe snowstorms due to lake-effect snow. Despite the current low levels, there is still potential for ice cover to increase if a prolonged cold spell occurs, but the overall trend indicates a future with less ice cover on the Great Lakes.
A clipper system is expected to bring light snow and a wintry mix to the Great Lakes and Northeast regions on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, with less than an inch of snow and a light glaze of ice for most areas. Higher elevations in the central Appalachians may see 2 to 4 inches of snow. Gusty winds could lead to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
