Deep Freeze and Heavy Snow Blanket U.S. as Thanksgiving Weekend Ends
As Thanksgiving weekend concluded, much of the U.S. faced an Arctic chill, with freezing temperatures and significant snowfall affecting holiday travelers. While the cold snap disrupted daily life, it also created ideal conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. Snowmobilers and skiers took advantage of the snowy landscapes, embracing the winter wonderland.
In Buffalo, New York, forecasters predicted a potentially snowy NFL game as the Bills prepared to face the San Francisco 49ers. The Tug Hill region, known for its intense lake-effect snow from Lake Ontario, saw as much as 46 inches of snow in Barnes Corners. Local resident Kevin Tyo spent the weekend shoveling and plowing snow, urging caution for those unaccustomed to such conditions.
Meanwhile, Buffalo’s Bills Stadium sought help from the community, offering $20 per hour plus food and drinks to shovel snow ahead of the game. Snowfall totals were uncertain, with the National Weather Service warning that accumulation would depend on lake-effect snow bands’ behavior around the stadium.
Elsewhere, heavy snowfall caused travel chaos. Christine Schintzius and her family were stranded for 19 hours during a trip from New York to Cleveland due to traffic jams on snow-covered roads. Despite the ordeal, local residents offered aid, providing food and water to stranded drivers.
The Arctic air mass brought temperatures 10–20°F below average across the Northern Plains, with cold weather warnings issued for parts of North Dakota. The chill was expected to spread to the eastern U.S., with Erie, Pennsylvania, declaring road conditions “treacherous” and reporting approximately 100 vehicles blocking streets. Snowplows struggled to keep roads clear, and commercial vehicles were banned on sections of Interstate 90.
Governors in New York and Pennsylvania declared emergency measures to combat the storm. New York Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the deployment of additional personnel and equipment, ensuring residents could travel safely during the holiday. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also emphasized disaster readiness as Erie County braced for up to two feet of snow.
Michigan faced similar challenges, with lake-effect snow blanketing parts of the state. The Upper Peninsula recorded snowfall exceeding two feet in areas like Munising, while Gaylord set a single-day snowfall record of 24.8 inches, surpassing a mark set in 1942.
The wintry conditions brought mixed blessings. While hazardous roads posed significant risks for travelers, the snowfall was welcomed by ski resorts like Treetops Resort in Gaylord, which benefited from the natural base for their upcoming season. Recreation Director Doug Hoeh noted the dual impact: while snowfall boosted ski hill readiness, it also required substantial effort to clear parking lots.
With lake-effect snow expected to continue, meteorologists cautioned travelers to prepare for rapidly changing conditions, including slick roads and reduced visibility. The season’s early snowfall offered a preview of the challenges and opportunities winter could bring in the coming months.