ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Following a weekend of challenging weather that disrupted Thanksgiving travel, parts of the Great Lakes region were blanketed with new snow on Monday, with more on the way throughout the week, according to weather forecasts.
Snow showers began in western Michigan overnight, with heavier, sustained snow expected to accumulate up to a foot (30 centimeters) by Monday. The National Weather Service warned that snow would continue through Wednesday and Thursday, accompanied by gusty winds and freezing temperatures.
“Lake-effect snowfall will primarily affect lakeshore locations through the morning commute, leading to reduced visibility and snow-covered roads,” the National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said in an early Monday update.
Lake-effect snow warnings remained in effect through Tuesday night across parts of Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Over the weekend, nearly 4 feet (1.2 meters) of lake-effect snow—caused by warm, moist air crossing the Great Lakes—hit upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Bills Game Played Amid Wintry Conditions
Despite the wintry conditions, fans at the NFL game in Buffalo, New York, between the Bills and the San Francisco 49ers braved the cold. The game was held in temperatures of 27°F (-3°C), with wind chills making it feel like 17°F (-8°C). The Bills’ organization announced they would pay $20 per hour and provide food and hot drinks to snow shovelers for the game, which took place just hours after the storm shifted south of the stadium.
Tim LoTemple, a season-ticket holder and member of the Bills’ fan base, “Bills Mafia,” said the cold only fueled the energy of the crowd. “We love snow over here. You know how Bills Mafia is, we love the cold. This is nothing compared to what we’ve seen before.”
However, for Jake Dyer, an Indianapolis Colts fan visiting from Southern California, it was his first cold-weather game. “Only thing I didn’t prepare for was shoes. I double up on everything else, but my feet are cold,” he said. “Mad respect for anybody who comes out. Anybody can sit at home, comfy in their chair to watch this game.”
Emergency Declarations in New York and Pennsylvania
A blast of Arctic air that hit the northern Plains last week brought temperatures 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 12 to minus 6°C) below average, with more frigid air moving over the eastern U.S. by Monday.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency on Saturday after nearly 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow fell in parts of Erie County. City Hall in Erie will be closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday.
Michigan Struggles with Lake-Effect Snow
In Michigan, lake-effect snow from Lake Superior dumped more than 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow across the Upper Peninsula. Areas northeast of Ironwood saw 27 inches (69 centimeters) of snow, with more than a foot (30.5 centimeters) expected in the eastern Upper Peninsula through Monday morning.
Contributing to this report: Ron Todt in Philadelphia, Sophia Tareen in Chicago, Susan Haigh in Norwich, Connecticut, John Wawrow in Orchard Park, New York, and Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire.
Leave feedback about this