The initial significant lake-effect snowstorm of the season is hammering western New York state with heavy accumulations that could surpass 2½ feet in certain areas. Other regions, including northern Michigan, northeast Ohio, and northwest Pennsylvania, are also experiencing heavy snowfall as frigid air moves across the Great Lakes.
In western New York, snow accompanied by thunder is falling at rates of up to 3 inches per hour, causing hazardous whiteout conditions along sections of Interstates 90, 86, and 81. Although snow-related accidents were reported, there were no road closures as of midday on Tuesday. Buffalo, which was hit by two extreme snowstorms about a year ago, has not experienced the brunt of the heavy snowfall.
In Ohio, snow led to a crash involving 13 vehicles about 20 miles south of Cleveland, resulting in multiple non-life-threatening injuries. While several inches fell around Cleveland and schools were closed in the area, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., received 11.7 inches on Monday, marking its fourth-snowiest November day on record. Winter weather advisories are also in effect for northern Michigan and its Upper Peninsula.
The same weather system has caused snow squalls that have reached the interior Mid-Atlantic, reducing visibility and depositing up to 7 inches in Western Virginia and western Maryland. Although snow may not last long, as temperatures are expected to rise above freezing soon.
The lake-effect snowfall totals have been greater off Lake Ontario than Lake Erie, due to Lake Ontario’s more west-to-east alignment, which is parallel to the current wind direction. Conversely, Lake Erie’s orientation doesn’t allow it to pick up as much moisture.
Snow totals through midday on Tuesday:
– 23 inches in Constableville, N.Y.
– 17.5 inches in Osceola, N.Y.
– 14 inches in Old Forge, N.Y.
– 12.5 inches in Glenfield, N.Y.
– 11 inches in Inlet, N.Y.
– 3.7 inches in Ticonderoga, N.Y.
– 16.5 inches in East Aurora, N.Y.
– 15.2 inches in Hamburg, N.Y.
– 13.3 inches in South Madison, Ohio
– 13.1 inches in Lowville, Pa.
As the lake-effect snow continues, warnings have been issued for areas south of Buffalo along Lake Erie and north of Rochester along Lake Ontario. Adding to these warning is the prediction that an additional 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected to accumulate south of Buffalo’s airport to near Springville, N.Y. Near Tug Hill Plateau, another 5 to 10 inches could potentially fall.
Lake-effect snows typically occur in late fall and early winter when frigid air moves across a comparatively warm lake. As the “lake-effect snow machine” becomes inactive once the lakes freeze over, the current snowfall is attributed to frigid air blowing down the length of the warm Great Lakes.
