Severe Snowstorm Hits New York Just Before Holiday Weekend
As New Yorkers prepare for a hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend, the region faces its first substantial snowstorm of the season. Forecasts indicate heavy lake-effect snow threatening towns along lakes Erie and Ontario, with the National Weather Service warning of dangerous travel conditions.
Meteorologists predict that an Arctic blast will sweep west and south, bringing "dangerously cold wind chills" to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Heavy snowfall is expected, making travel "very difficult to impossible" into next week. "Multiple feet of snow may accumulate quickly," the National Weather Service cautioned.
Already, parts of northern New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan have recorded nearly two feet of snow. Areas in Pennsylvania’s northwestern tip experienced up to 29 inches, prompting road closures on Interstate 90 and the New York Thruway. In a striking scene, travelers found refuge overnight at a Holiday Inn, as snow made many roads impassable.
Several states have issued cold weather advisories. In Michigan, areas in the Upper Peninsula are bracing for up to 3 feet of snow, while New York state officials warned of 4 to 6 feet of snow in regions east of Lake Ontario. The intense lake-effect snow results from warm vapors mixing with colder air, leading to high snowfall rates.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency for affected counties, allowing state agencies to mobilize resources. Travel restrictions, including bans on commercial vehicles on key routes, have been enacted due to deteriorating conditions.
As Buffalo prepares for a Sunday night home game, the Bills appealed for volunteer help to clear snow at Highmark Stadium. With considerable snowfall still on the horizon, drivers are urged to exercise caution as conditions remain hazardous.
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