Over the weekend, bone-chilling Arctic air descended upon much of the eastern United States, bringing frigid temperatures and the threat of disruptive lake-effect snow. The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center warned that a cold air mass moving across the northern Plains and Midwest into the South and East Coast is expected to linger, ushering in the coldest temperatures since last winter.
A wide swath of the eastern US, spanning from Minnesota to Texas, is forecasted to experience temperature drops of 15 to 25 degrees as chilly air interacts with the unusually warm Great Lakes, triggering the season's first major lake-effect snow event. The National Weather Service in New York cautioned that localized areas could be paralyzed by heavy snow, with potential impacts on interstate travel.
Winter weather alerts were issued for nearly 10 million people, with snow totals expected to range from 6 to 12 inches in many areas. However, some regions could see accumulations of 4 to 6 feet in narrow bands of heavy snowfall.
High temperatures over the weekend will resemble mid-to-late January in cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Nashville, and Tallahassee. It is anticipated that nearly 70% of the US population will experience temperatures below freezing in the coming days.
The northern Plains and Upper Midwest are bracing for especially frigid conditions, with wind chills plummeting well below zero. The Weather Prediction Center warned of the heightened risk of hypothermia and frostbite in these regions.
Michigan, New York, and other Great Lakes areas remain on alert as lake-effect snow continues to cause near-whiteout conditions, leading to hazardous travel conditions. Skiers in western New York are looking forward to the season's first major snowfall, with Holiday Valley Ski Resort preparing to open next Thursday.
Residents of Watertown, New York, could potentially face up to 70 inches of snow by Monday, prompting a state of emergency declaration by Governor Kathy Hochul. Northeastern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania are also preparing for significant snowfall impacts, with travel disruptions expected.
The heavy snow has already forced the closure of sections of major highways in New York and Pennsylvania, with reports of motorists being rescued from snowdrifts. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the Buffalo Bills are set to play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Orchard Park, New York, with game-time temperatures forecasted around 26 degrees.
Officials expect the heaviest snow to have ceased by game time, but significant accumulations are anticipated at the football stadium. Fans have been asked to assist with snow removal ahead of the game, as the event is unlikely to be postponed despite the wintry weather conditions.
