Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures kept parts of the U.S. in a deep freeze Sunday as the Thanksgiving weekend ended. While some snowmobilers and skiers enjoyed the winter weather, others braced for the cold, including fans attending the NFL game in Buffalo.
In the Tug Hill region of upstate New York, known for lake-effect snow from Lake Ontario, up to 46 inches of snow fell in Barnes Corners.
Local businessman Kevin Tyo described the ongoing efforts to clear snow, saying, “We just keep digging out,” with residents relying on plows, tractors, and snowblowers. He advised people unfamiliar with such conditions to stay home and slow down if traveling.
Lake-effect snow occurs when warm, moist air moves over colder air, creating narrow, intense bands of snow. The U.S. military’s Fort Drum near Watertown, New York, warned of up to 19 inches of snow expected on Sunday.
In response to the dangerous conditions, commercial vehicles were banned from a nearly 134-mile stretch of I-90 in western New York.
In Buffalo, the NFL’s Bills team prepared for the cold ahead of their Sunday night game against the San Francisco 49ers. The team sought stadium snow shovelers to help clear the field and surrounding areas.
Snow began falling near the stadium hours before the game, with intensive plowing planned for roads in the area. Crews cleared snow from the stadium walkways and parking lots in preparation for the game, though snow continued to fall.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s office predicted another one to two feet of snow in western New York and two to three feet in northern New York.
Meanwhile, Christine Schintzius and her family were stranded for 19 hours while traveling to a hockey tournament in Cleveland. After encountering traffic delays on I-90 and Route 5, they were stuck in their car overnight.
Despite the hardship, Schintzius managed to keep her kids comfortable, thanks to a packed cooler and a full tank of gas. They were eventually helped by residents and emergency crews before finding a route home to avoid further snow.
New York and Pennsylvania declared snow emergencies, with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signing a disaster emergency proclamation. Erie County, Pennsylvania, received nearly 2 feet of snow, with more expected. As a result, City Hall in Erie will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
Michigan was also hit by lake-effect snow, with parts of the Upper Peninsula receiving more than 2 feet of snow. Snow totals in the region reached 27 inches northeast of Ironwood. Snow continued to fall in the eastern Upper Peninsula, where over a foot was expected by Monday morning.
In the Appalachians, temperatures are expected to dip between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the coming days, while light snow fell across eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, providing a festive backdrop for Christmas decorations.
This intense winter weather is expected to continue across the U.S. in the coming days, with colder temperatures and more snow in store for the affected regions.