A wave of Arctic air and lake-effect snow has disrupted post-Thanksgiving travel across the eastern United States. The frigid air mass, which brought the coldest temperatures since last winter, is expected to linger into next week, according to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. The cold front has caused temperatures to drop 15 to 25 degrees from Minnesota to Texas, triggering the season’s first major lake-effect snow event.
The heavy snowfall has led to the closure of several major highways in New York and Pennsylvania, including sections of Interstate 90. Winter weather alerts were in effect for nearly 16 million people on Saturday, with widespread snow totals expected between six and 12 inches across portions of Michigan, western New York, northwest Pennsylvania, and northeast Ohio. Some areas downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario are expecting four to six feet of snow.
The lake-effect snow event, which began late Thursday, continues to intensify, with some areas already accumulating over three feet of snow. The most severe conditions are still ahead, as additional snowfall and aligned winds are expected to create narrow corridors of intense snow downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario through the evening and into Sunday. Residents of western New York could see snowfall reaching an astonishing six feet, with parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio receiving over three feet of snow.
The severe weather has also impacted air travel, with Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport reporting numerous flight delays. The harsh weather is expected to continue through early next week, with heavy snow lingering the longest in northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania, and western New York.