Four states are facing heavy lake effect snow this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The NWS has issued lake effect snow warnings in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, predicting significant snowfall through the weekend.
Lake effect snow is a weather phenomenon that occurs when cold, dry air moves over a large, warmer body of water, such as the Great Lakes. This temperature difference causes the air to pick up moisture from the lake’s surface, and as the air moves over the land, it cools and the moisture condenses, forming snow.
This process often results in heavy, localized snowstorms, particularly along the downwind shores of the lakes. This snow can be intense and concentrated in narrow bands, leading to significant snowfall in some areas while other nearby regions may see little to no snow.
Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP
It comes as winter weather hits hard across the U.S. this week. Freeze warnings are in effect for nine Southern states, including Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas, while snow is forecast in Western states including California, Colorado, and Utah. The Northern Plains are also bracing for extreme cold, with North Dakota facing wind chills of -40°F and lows near -10°F—well below the seasonal average.
“The cold blast will feel like January and will deliver a significant shock to hundreds of millions of people who may have gotten used to warm conditions during much of the autumn,” AccuWeather lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok said.
In a post on X, meteorologist Ryan Maue said that about two thirds of the U.S. population will be “freezing or colder” this weekend.
New York
The National Weather Service has issued lake effect snow warnings for several counties in upstate New York.
Up to 5 feet (64 inches) of snow could fall in Watertown in Jefferson County this weekend, as well as in the Oswego and Lewis Counties, the NWS has said. Meanwhile, 3 to 4 feet is expected in Wyoming, Chautauqua and Southern Erie counties, as well as Southeastern and Southwestern St. Lawrence, and 1 to 2 feet in Buffalo in Erie County, Northern Herkimer County, Allegany County and Genesee County on Saturday.
The NWS has warned that the snowfall could lead to dangerous travel conditions and poor visibility on roads.
“Travel will be very difficult to impossible with deep snow cover on roads and extremely poor visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday morning and evening commutes,” the NSW said on their website.
By Sunday, heavy snow will likely move south into Oswego County.
“This is going to be a long-fused event,” NWS Buffalo lead forecaster Kirk Apffel told FOX Weather. “We’re looking for Friday through at least Monday, there’s going to be snow in the area.” The warnings are in place from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Monday.
Michigan
Between 1 and 2 feet of snow could fall in Michigan this weekend and heading into Monday.
In Central Chippewa and Western Chippewa Counties, snowfall is expected to be heaviest in Sault Ste. Marie. Meanwhile, eastern Antrim, southern Otsego, northeast Kalkaska, and northwest Crawford counties will also see 1 to 2 feet of snow.
The NWS has warned that there will be “rapid drops in visibility” over the weekend in these counties owing to heavy snowfall and gusty winds. Anyone who needs to travel has been warned to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their vehicle in case of an emergency.
Cheboygan and Emmet Counties, as well as Keweenaw, Alger, Luce, and Northern Schoolcraft Counties, and Baraga, Gogebic, Ontonagon, and Northern and Southern Houghton Counties will also see up to 24 inches of snow.
“A significant, long duration lake effect snow event is likely through Monday. Travel will be difficult in some areas downwind of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. In addition to the snow, gusty winds will create areas of blowing and drifting snow with reduced visibilities,” part of a National Weather Service hazardous weather outlook stated for the region.
Ohio
Between 1 and 2 feet of heavy lake effect snow is expected in Ohio between Friday and Saturday morning, with 1 to 2 inches of snow expected to fall per hour.
However, the warning is only in affect for a small portion of the state, in Ashtabula Inland, Ashtabula Lakeshore, Geauga, and Lake Counties, as well as in Northern Erie and Southern Erie-Crawford. Lower snow amounts are expected toward the southern part of Geauga and Ashtabula Counties and the southern part of Crawford County.
The NWS has warned that heavy snowfall may impact visibility on roads, making travel “impossible.”
“Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Travel is impossible and should be postponed. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes and postholiday travel, especially along Interstate 90,” the NWS said on its website.
Wind gusts are also expected to reach highs of 35 mph in affected counties, shifting to the southwest on Saturday, pushing heavy snow away from the region. However, lake effect snow is likely to return across the area on Sunday into early next week and bring additional snowfall.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, a heavy lake effect snow warning is in place in Warren County, where 1 foot of snow is expected. The warning is in place until 7 a.m. on Saturday.
Northern and western parts of Warren County will be the worst affected, according to the NWS.
The NWS has also warned that travel could be “very difficult” on Friday evening. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute and holiday travel,” the service said on its website.
“Gusty west winds will also cause snow to drift and repeatedly cover untreated roads even when snow is not falling,” it added.
