() – Frigid Arctic air gripped much of the eastern United States on Saturday, while lake-effect snow threatened to disrupt post-holiday travel in parts of the Great Lakes region.
A frigid air mass that spread south across the northern Plains and Midwest to the South and East Coast is expected to persist into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. with the coldest temperatures since last winter.
Temperatures are expected to drop to between -9°C and -3°C (15°F and 25°F) across a wide swath of the eastern US, from Minnesota to Texas, as cold air moves through the Great Lakes, warm as never before, causing the first major episode of lake effect snow of the season.
Winter weather warnings were in effect for nearly 10 million people this Friday, with widespread snow totals expected between 15 and 30 cm.
However, accumulations of 1 to 2 meters are possible this weekend in concentrated, narrow bands of snow.
This weekend’s low temperatures will feel more like mid-to-late January in Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Nashville and Tallahassee. Nearly 70% of the US population is expected to experience freezing temperatures over the next few days.
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Especially frigid conditions are expected this Saturday morning in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with wind chills well below zero. This could increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
“Wind chills across much of Dakota and Minnesota will be below -26°C (-15°F), with parts of North Dakota as cold as -34°C (-30°F) and -40°C ( -40°F),” the center said.
Michigan, New York and other parts of the Great Lakes region remain on alert as lake-effect snow continues to create near-white conditions, causing dangerous traffic closures in some areas starting this Friday.
According to forecasts, the inhabitants of Watertown, near Lake Ontario, in western New York, could have to dig themselves out of a snowfall of up to 170 cm (almost 2 meters) this Monday. Jefferson County, where Watertown is located, is one of the areas under a state of emergency declared this Friday by New York Governor Kathy Hochuldue to the threat of lake effect snow.
Northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania are also bracing for significant impacts from heavy and prolonged snowfall.
“Accumulations will be measured in feet in the most affected areas, with breezy conditions leading to drifting snow as well. It will be difficult or impossible to travel,” warned the Weather Prediction Center.
The heavy snow has already forced authorities to close part of the main highways in New York and Pennsylvania, including some sections of Interstate 90.
A driver from Erie, Pennsylvania, told he saw State Police rescuing to motorists trapped in snowdrifts.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills will face the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday in Orchard Park, New York, with temperatures around -3°C (26°F).
Erie County officials expect the heaviest snow to have stopped falling on Highmark Stadium by game time, they announced Friday.
“However, it is possible that in the most likely scenarios, there will be 50 to 70 cm of snow that will have fallen at the football stadium by game time,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said at a news conference this week. Friday.
Before this Sunday’s game, the Bills posted a message in X in which they asked fans to help remove snow from the outdoor stadium.
While the heavy snow may cause concerns for those traveling, the game is unlikely to be postponed, according to Poloncarz.
“The game will continue,” he said.
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