A significant winter storm brought heavy snow and frigid temperatures to parts of the U.S. on Sunday, as the Thanksgiving weekend concluded. Despite the Arctic conditions, however, winter sports enthusiasts enjoyed the snow, and forecasters offered some optimism regarding the upcoming NFL game in Buffalo.
In New York’s Tug Hill region, known for its lake-effect snow, Barnes Corners saw snowfall accumulation reaching 46 inches (117 centimeters).
“We’re continuously clearing the snow,” said Kevin Tyo, a local business owner on Sunday. “We spent all day yesterday plowing.”
Like many residents, he uses a truck plow throughout the winter, “and I have a tractor with a bucket, and a snowblower.”
His advice? “If you’re unfamiliar with these conditions, stay indoors. If you must go out, drive slowly.”
Buffalo Bills game scheduled for Sunday night
The Buffalo Bills, an NFL team, sought snow removal personnel for the season, particularly before Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. The team offered $20 per hour, along with meals and hot beverages.
A lake-effect snowstorm impacted the area near the Bills’ stadium in Orchard Park, New York, beginning Saturday. Hours before the game, snow continued to fall, according to New York’s State Weather Risk Communication Center.
“Snow accumulation will depend heavily on whether the current lake-effect snow shifts slightly south of the stadium or stays over the stadium longer,” the center stated on X.
Arctic air brought unusually cold temperatures late last week
A surge of Arctic air late last week resulted in temperatures 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average in the Northern Plains, leading to cold weather advisories in parts of North Dakota. Sub-zero temperatures were anticipated across the eastern U.S. by Monday, approximately 10 degrees below average.
Officials in Erie, Pennsylvania reported “hazardous” conditions due to heavy lake-effect snow, causing even snowplows to become stuck while working to clear city roads.
On Sunday morning, the city estimated approximately 100 vehicles were blocking roads and required towing to allow snowplows to proceed.
Commercial vehicles remained prohibited on a nearly 134-mile stretch of I-90 in western New York, extending to the Pennsylvania border. The National Weather Service predicted continued lake-effect snow east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on Sunday, with potential additional snowfall of 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters).
New York and Pennsylvania declare states of emergency
In a Saturday phone interview, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated the state had prepared for the storm for days by deploying snowplows, thousands of workers, and collaborating with utility companies. She also sent in additional personnel from other areas of the state to help.
“I know this is routine for them and they can handle it, but I want them to know we are providing reinforcements to ensure everyone can travel safely, particularly during this busy holiday weekend,” she stated.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued a disaster emergency declaration on Saturday, noting that parts of Erie County in the northwest received almost 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow, with more expected through Monday night.
Pennsylvania State Police responded to approximately 200 incidents in the 24-hour period from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, according to officials. Authorities closed a portion of I-90 in Pennsylvania and westbound lanes of the New York Thruway leading to Pennsylvania.
Michigan impacted by lake-effect snow
Lake-effect snow significantly affected parts of Michigan, a phenomenon resulting from warm, moist air rising from a water body mixing with cold, dry air above. Bands of snow moving off Lake Superior buried areas of the Upper Peninsula under 2 feet (61 centimeters) or more, according to Lily Chapman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Marquette, Michigan.
Northeast of Ironwood, in the western Upper Peninsula, 27 inches (69 centimeters) of snow accumulated, and Munising, in the east, saw another 2 feet (61 centimeters).
Lake-effect snow could add more than a foot (30.5 centimeters) to the eastern Upper Peninsula through Monday morning, with 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) or more to the west, Chapman said Saturday.
Gaylord, Michigan, received 24.8 inches (63 centimeters) of snow on Friday, setting a new single-day record for the city in a ski resort area, said Keith Berger of the weather service’s Gaylord office. The previous record of 17 inches (43 centimeters) was set on March 9, 1942.
This heavy snowfall benefited Treetops Resort, which has 80 acres (32 hectares) of ski terrain among its 2,000 acres (809 hectares). It increased the snow base before the resort opens next weekend, said Recreation Director Doug Hoeh. Snowmaking machines will further enhance the conditions.
“Clearly, this much snowfall is fantastic for the ski slopes, but it makes parking challenging, so we’re busy clearing snow,” Hoeh said.