Major Snowstorm Hits Northeast and Midwest as Holiday Travel Continues
A significant snowstorm blanketed parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan over the weekend, coinciding with bustling post-Thanksgiving travel and holiday shopping. Forecasters warned that dangerously cold temperatures and heavy snowfall would persist, affecting travelers across the Great Lakes, Plains, and Midwest.
Emergency declarations were issued in New York and disaster declarations in Pennsylvania as officials cautioned about hazardous conditions for those returning home. Bitter Arctic air brought temperatures plunging 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average, particularly in the Northern Plains and eastern regions, prompting cold weather advisories.
Nearly two feet of snow accumulated in parts of New York, Ohio, and Michigan, with Pennsylvania recording 29 inches in its northwestern tip. The National Weather Service reported that areas east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario could expect up to two feet of snow, with snowfall rates reaching 3-4 inches per hour in Jefferson County. Meteorologists cautioned that travel could be "difficult to impossible" as snowfall intensified.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state had mobilized snowplows and workers to manage the situation, while Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a disaster emergency proclamation as nearly 200 incidents were reported by state police in a 24-hour span.
In Erie, Pennsylvania, travel restrictions were imposed for non-emergency vehicles, with numerous stuck vehicles blocking critical routes. Hotel staff near I-90 offered refuge to stranded travelers.
In Michigan, lake-effect snow buried parts of the Upper Peninsula, setting single-day records in various locations. The heavy snowfall is expected to boost ski resorts in the region ahead of the winter season.
As communities brace for ongoing winter weather, residents are urged to exercise caution and stay indoors if possible.
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