Biting cold temperatures are sweeping across the US, bringing more than a foot of lake-effect snow to parts of the Great Lakes region through Tuesday. Western New York has seen over 5 feet of snowfall in just a few days, with some areas exceeding 4 feet.
The National Weather Service issued warnings for western New York, northeastern Ohio, and northwestern Pennsylvania, where residents are braving treacherous conditions on foot or by snowblower to clear their driveways. The cold will persist, with nearly 70% of the continental US feeling the chill.
Residents in Ohio have also been affected, with Ashtabula County reporting around 40 inches of snowfall and parts of Lake Erie seeing an additional 12-21 inches through Tuesday morning. Cars and roadways are largely buried under the snow, with some drivers reporting their car batteries died due to the extreme cold.
Forecasters warn of difficult travel, whiteout conditions, and urge residents to stay home unless necessary. Several roads have been closed in Pennsylvania and New York due to debris or heavy snowfall, while others remain closed to certain types of vehicles.
The Buffalo Bills played their Sunday night game as scheduled despite crews clearing the field from snow just hours before kickoff. However, the wind chill in the area made it feel like the low 20s on Sunday evening.
The storm has brought a sense of nostalgia for some residents, who describe it as a “good old-fashioned winter.” As the snow continues to fall, officials urge drivers to exercise caution and stay safe.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/01/us/lake-effect-snow-weather-thanksgiving-weekend/index.html