An intense wave of Arctic air swept across the eastern United States on Saturday, plunging temperatures to dangerous lows and triggering a lake-effect snowstorm that forecasters warned could "paralyze" certain regions and disrupt post-holiday travel.
The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center reported that a frigid air mass, which originated in the northern Plains and Midwest, has extended into the South and East Coast. This cold snap is expected to persist into the coming week, delivering the coldest temperatures seen since last winter.
Temperatures across a vast stretch of the eastern US, from Minnesota to Texas, are predicted to plummet by 15 to 25 degrees. As this cold air passes over the unusually warm waters of the Great Lakes, it has initiated the season’s first significant lake-effect snow event, with localized areas bracing for extreme snowfall.
“Some areas will be paralyzed by lake-effect snow, with significant disruptions to interstate travel,” the National Weather Service in New York warned.
Winter weather alerts were issued for nearly 10 million people by Friday, with widespread snowfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches expected. However, in narrow, concentrated bands, snow totals could reach an astonishing 4 to 6 feet by the end of the weekend.
Cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Nashville, and Tallahassee will experience high temperatures resembling those typically seen in January. Nearly 70% of the US population is forecasted to endure sub-freezing temperatures in the coming days.
The northern Plains and Upper Midwest are set to face the harshest conditions on Saturday morning, with wind chills plunging well below zero. The Weather Prediction Center warned of a heightened risk of frostbite and hypothermia, as wind chills in parts of North Dakota could drop as low as -30 to -40 degrees.
Great Lakes Region Hit Hard
The Great Lakes region remains under heightened alert as lake-effect snow creates near-whiteout conditions, making travel hazardous. Michigan and western New York are among the hardest-hit areas.
In western New York, ski resorts are welcoming the heavy snowfall. Holiday Valley Ski Resort, located near Buffalo, announced plans to open next Thursday, thanks to the season’s first significant snowstorm.
Meanwhile, residents in Watertown, New York, could face up to 70 inches—nearly 6 feet—of snow by Monday. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for Jefferson County and other areas facing similar conditions.
In northeastern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania, prolonged, heavy snowfall is expected to cause severe travel disruptions. Officials have already closed sections of major highways, including parts of Interstate 90, as crews work to clear roads buried under snowdrifts.
Sports and Snow Collide
Despite the extreme weather, the Buffalo Bills are scheduled to play the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Sunday. Game-time temperatures are projected to hover around 26 degrees.
Although snow accumulation at the stadium could reach 20 to 30 inches by kickoff, Erie County officials expect the heaviest snowfall to subside before the game begins. Fans have been called upon to assist in clearing snow from the open-air stadium.
While the frigid conditions and heavy snowfall pose significant challenges for residents and travelers, the game is expected to proceed as planned.
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