Heavy Snow and Frigid Temperatures Blanket the U.S. as Holiday Weekend Ends
As the Thanksgiving weekend came to a close, parts of the U.S. were gripped by heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. While the icy conditions disrupted travel, snowmobilers and skiers embraced the winter weather, and football fans braved the cold to prepare for the Buffalo Bills’ Sunday night game.
Snow Bomb Hits Upstate New York
The Tug Hill region of upstate New York, notorious for intense lake-effect snow from Lake Ontario, was buried under as much as 46 inches of snow in Barnes Corners.
Local businessman Kevin Tyo, who spent the weekend plowing, said, “We just keep digging out.” Equipped with a plow, tractor, and snowblower, Tyo advised newcomers to either stay home or slow down when venturing out.
Nearby, Fort Drum issued alerts about potential snowfall of up to 19 inches during the day Sunday. In western New York, commercial vehicles were banned along a 134-mile stretch of I-90 to the Pennsylvania border, as plows struggled to keep up with the snowfall.
Football in the Snow
Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium became the epicenter of snow-clearing efforts ahead of the Bills’ game against the San Francisco 49ers. Offering $20 an hour, along with food and drinks, the team sought community help to clear the stadium.
Hours before kickoff, plows cleared surrounding roads and parking lots, while crews worked to remove snow from seats and stairways.
The lake-effect storm, which began Saturday, could dump another 1–2 feet of snow in western New York and up to 3 feet in northern parts of the state, according to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office.
A Harrowing Journey
For some, the wintry weather brought significant challenges. Christine Schintzius, traveling with her two sons and two nieces from Wales, New York, found herself snowbound for 19 hours.
Stranded on I-90 for nine hours and Route 5 for ten more, the family relied on snacks, a cooler of food, and a nearly full tank of gas to endure the ordeal. Local residents and truckers offered aid, distributing muffins and checking on stranded drivers.
After escaping the traffic jam, Schintzius rerouted to avoid the worst of the ongoing snowfall. “I’m not getting stuck in that ever again,” she remarked.
Widespread Arctic Chill
A blast of Arctic air brought temperatures 10–20°F below average to the Northern Plains last week, with the frigid air expected to extend across the eastern U.S. by Monday.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency as Erie County saw nearly 2 feet of snow. City Hall in Erie announced closures on Monday and Tuesday due to the ongoing snow emergency.
Michigan and Beyond
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula also faced lake-effect snow, with some areas reporting over 2 feet. Ironwood saw 27 inches, and eastern parts of the peninsula were expected to receive over a foot by Monday.
Meanwhile, light snow in Kentucky and West Virginia provided scenic backdrops for Christmas decorations and valuable preparation for road crews as temperatures dipped into the teens.
While the heavy snowfall and numbing temperatures created picturesque winter scenes, they also underscored the hazards of early-season storms for residents and travelers alike.