Travel
State of emergency declared, treacherous travel reported as lake-effect snowstorm blasts Great Lakes
The third significant lake-effect snowstorm in three weeks is continuing to blast Great Lakes communities from Michigan to New York, with forecasters warning that blowing snow could lead to near-whiteout conditions making travel treacherous.
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The third significant lake-effect snowstorm in three weeks is blasting Great Lakes communities with strong winds and heavy snow that has led to treacherous travel conditions and a state of emergency in parts of New York state.
A video recorded in Hamburg, New York, shows heavy snow and strong winds as a significant lake-effect snowstorm blasts the Great Lakes region on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on X that she had declared a state of emergency in several counties, including Jefferson and Erie counties, due to the expected feet of additional snowfall expected through the rest of the week.
In addition, a tandem and empty tractor-trailer ban has been implemented in both directions on the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) from Exit 53 west to the Pennsylvania state line, as well as for portions of Route 5, U.S. 219, N.Y. Route 400 and Interstate 86.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APP
Lake-effect snow accumulated in north Michigan Wednesday evening as the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning. Footage from Aubrey Zackal shows heavy snowfall in Houghton.
“Our first responders and emergency crews are on the ground ready to deal with this storm,” Hochul said in a post on X. “I urge New Yorkers to take precautions to stay safe.”
The snow has been falling fast and furious across portions of Pennsylvania and New York, with several communities already picking up well over a foot of snow.
Western New York is battling its third brutal lake-effect snowstorm in just three weeks. Hamburg, south of Buffalo, has already accumulated over a foot of snow, with vicious wind gusts exceeding 30 mph. The National Weather Service in Buffalo warns that this storm will bring stronger winds than the previous two, leading to near-whiteout conditions from blowing and falling snow. A state of emergency has been declared for over a dozen counties, including Erie County, which has already seen over 55 inches of snowfall this season. Multiple feet of snow are expected east of Lakes Erie and Ontario through Friday morning.
About 19 inches has fallen in the Orchard Park, New York area, with other communities such as Hamburg and Eden also seeing snow totals higher than a foot.
With plenty more on the way.
There were also reports of rare thundersnow in the Watertown, New York, area, early Thursday morning. Thundersnow is a rare weather phenomenon where thunder and lightning are observed despite precipitation falling in the frozen variety.
Similar to thunderstorms, thundersnow requires a significant amount of atmospheric instability, and in areas where the phenomenon occurs, snowfall rates can be exceptionally heavy.
A powerful lake-effect snowstorm is currently pummeling western New York, bringing massive waves to Lake Erie and blanketing the region in heavy snow. The iconic Hoak’s Restaurant in Hamburg, New York, is once again bearing the brunt of the storm, with waves crashing against its walls.
Impacts to travel have also been reported across portions of Pennsylvania, including some commercial travel bans on I-86 between I-90 and the New York state line, as well as the entire length of I-90 from the Ohio state line to the New York state line.
Speed restrictions are also in effect for portions of interstates 80 and 81.
DRIVING ON THE ICE AND DRIVING IN THE SNOW: WEATHER DRIVING TIPS FOR DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER
Great Lakes communities are feeling the impacts from the most recent lake-effect snowstorm that is leading to treacherous travel and even a state of emergency in several New York counties. FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell is in Erie, Pennsylvania, where the wind was whipping and snow was falling as the lake-effect snowstorm blasts the region.
Videos recorded from the Erie, Pennsylvania, area, show the heavy snow that began falling Wednesday night.
FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell has been in Erie and shared a timelapse video showing bands of lake-effect snow impacting the region.
A timelapse video recorded in Erie, Pennsylvania, shows bands of lake-effect snow impacting the region on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said his state, too, had been preparing for impacts from the storm. In a post on X, Shapiro said members of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency were on the ground in Erie before the winter weather arrived.
“They’ll be ready to help clear the roads and ensure folks get where they need to go,” he said. “Stay safe out there.”
The FOX Forecast Center expects 10-20 inches of snow to fall around Lake Erie by the end of the workweek.
The National Weather Service office in Buffalo said heavy lake-effect snow would bring multiple feet of snow east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario through Friday morning, and strong winds could lead to near-whiteout conditions.
That, forecasters warned, would bring “major impacts to travel and society where the heaviest snow is expected.”
This graphic shows the forecast snow totals in the Great Lakes region through Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center said cold air from Canada is expected to pour over the still-warm Great Lakes, helping to enhance snowfall for communities along the eastern and southern shores of the lakes through Friday.
The combination of gusty winds and blowing snow is expected to lead to near-blizzard conditions, especially Thursday when winds peak at 25-45 mph.
Trump says he won’t ‘do business’ with countries that refuse to take back migrants: ‘I want them out’
Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau Gives Players ‘Hugs Every Day’
Kathy Hochul declares state of emergency in several NY counties over lake-effect snowstorm
Portuguese native Tiago Mogadouro takes the helm at Madame Tussauds New York
Knicks Superstar Responds To Trae Young’s Dice Rolling Celebration On New York’s Logo
Knicks may acquire Heat’s aging $146 million All-Star via trade | Sporting News
Mitchell Robinson’s New Timeline Could Change Knicks Trade Market
Knicks Waste Karl-Anthony Towns History in NBA Cup Loss
Warner Bros. Discovery shares surge 15% after company announces linear, streaming restructuring
