A powerful lake-effect snowstorm has blanketed parts of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, dumping several feet of snow and causing major disruptions to post-Thanksgiving travel. Hundreds of vehicles have been stranded, and more snow is expected in the coming days.
The storm, which started on Thursday, continues to affect travel and daily life, with more snow expected in the coming days.
Record snowfall in New York and Michigan
Parts of the eastern Great Lakes, including a 160-mile stretch of Interstate 90 from northeast Ohio to Buffalo, and northern Michigan, have received the heaviest snow. Several communities in New York had more than 40 inches of snow by Sunday night.
Copenhagen, a village about an hour north of Syracuse, saw over 58 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Nearby, West Carthage received 41 inches, and Watertown reported over 37 inches.
Northern Michigan also experienced record-breaking snowfall on Friday. The resort town of Gaylord saw over two feet of snow, surpassing the previous daily record of 17 inches set in 1942. By Sunday afternoon, parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula had received an additional two feet, with more expected.
Travel disruptions and stranded motorists
The storm has caused major travel disruptions, particularly along Interstate 90 in New York, where road closures and commercial truck bans were in place for several days. Lake-effect snow is especially hazardous for drivers, as conditions can change rapidly—clear skies in one area can quickly give way to heavy snow and poor visibility just a few miles away.
Pennsylvania officials reported that hundreds of vehicles were stranded, with some drivers forced to sleep in their cars while waiting for conditions to improve. One woman’s journey from Buffalo to Columbus, Ohio, took over 24 hours due to being stuck on the highway.
Brenton Davis, the executive of Erie County, Pennsylvania, said on Sunday that crews were still working to remove abandoned vehicles. By the afternoon, workers had cleared many of the vehicles blocking travel lanes, according to Michael Carroll, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Transportation. “Progress is being made by the hour,” Mr. Carroll stated. However, forecasters warned that conditions could worsen, with Erie expected to receive up to three more inches of snow overnight.
How long will the storm last?
Forecasters predict that the lake-effect snow will continue at least until Tuesday, though the intensity of the storm is expected to lessen by then. Areas around Lake Erie in Pennsylvania and New York could see an additional two to three feet of snow. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is also expected to receive up to two more feet, and northeastern Ohio could get another 11 inches by Tuesday.
What’s causing the storm?
The lake-effect snowstorm is the result of cold air moving over the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the warmer water, it picks up moisture, which then falls as snow when it reaches colder land. This phenomenon is common in the Great Lakes region during the late fall and early winter months, when water temperatures are at their warmest.
“They were actually above normal going into the Thanksgiving weekend,” said Mr. Hurley, a weather expert. “That gives you more energy, more moisture, more instability off the lakes with that cold air blowing over it.”
Experts have also warned that climate change could increase the amount of lake-effect snowfall in the short term, as warmer lake temperatures and longer ice-free periods lead to more evaporation. This, in turn, fuels heavier snowfalls. However, as the climate continues to warm, some of this precipitation may fall as rain rather than snow.
Local communities affected
Beyond travel chaos, the snowstorm has upended daily life in affected communities. Many schools announced snow days, while church services and local events were cancelled or postponed. In Erie, residents were seen shoveling their driveways and cars, with some giving up after hours of work.
Jeremy Hodges, a local resident, spent an hour chipping away at the snow around his car, but said, “I don’t think it’s going to happen today.”
In Buffalo, the Bills recruited fans to shovel snow ahead of the team’s Sunday night game against the San Francisco 49ers. Fans were offered $20 per hour, along with hot drinks and food, and shovels were provided.
While many hunkered down indoors, some residents took advantage of the heavy snow, going sledding or embracing the winter weather as an adventure.
