A blast of Arctic air is sweeping across most of the United States this weekend, bringing significant lake-effect snow to several states, including Pennsylvania and New York, as well as frigid temperatures in the South.
Winter alerts, including lake-effect snow warnings, have been issued for sections of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York state for the weekend, with some remaining in place until Monday evening.
As cold air travels over the relatively warm water of the Great Lakes, substantial lake-effect snow bands are forecast to blanket numerous areas, including Cleveland, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York.
Overall, the cold air mass is pushing temperatures below freezing as far south as the Florida panhandle, with more than 13 million people in nine southern states under freeze alerts.
This weekend’s biggest snowfall totals are expected around Watertown, New York, with 3 to 5 feet forecast. The tight and dense bands of snow can cause localized whiteouts, making travel practically impossible.
A second band of heavy snow is forecast to remain primarily south of Buffalo, with Dunkirk, New York, receiving more than 3 feet of snow this weekend.
On Friday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proclaimed a state of emergency in almost a dozen counties in the state’s western region, citing the storm’s potential to generate hazardous circumstances, including road closures, travel disruptions, and widespread power outages.
Local officials in Erie County, New York, which contains Buffalo, warned against taking risks.
“This is going to be a serious storm, especially in the southern parts of Erie County,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz warned at a press conference on Friday. “If you don’t need to drive, stay home. It isn’t worth the risk.”
Eden, Evans, and Hamburg, as well as smaller villages like Angola and Farnham, would be among the most severely affected. These areas might receive three to four feet of snow, rendering roads practically impassable. Northern Erie County, including Buffalo, is forecast to receive only a few inches of snow.
Driving can be dangerous, according to Poloncarz.
“We’re talking about whiteout conditions where you can’t see anything while driving,” he told me. “It’s going to be very dangerous.”
Some routes are already closed, including a section of Interstate 90 near the Pennsylvania border.
The Buffalo Bills play Sunday night, but fans will face a lot of snow. The county predicts 20 to 30 inches of snow at the stadium before the game begins. The crew is prepared to clear the snow, but it will be difficult to get to the game.
“It’s going to be cold,” Poloncarz added. “Fans should bundle up and be ready for wind chills in the teens.”
Poloncarz remarked, “Western New Yorkers know how to handle snow.”We will get through this if we are diligent.”
