By Redacción
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The first major snowstorm of the season blanketed areas along Lake Erie on Saturday, complicating travel during the busy holiday weekend.
Forecasters predicted continued frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall through next week, creating hazardous conditions across the Great Lakes, Plains, and Midwest regions.
The storm prompted emergency declarations in parts of New York and Pennsylvania, as officials warned travelers returning home after Thanksgiving of the dangerous weather.
“Travel will be extremely difficult and hazardous this weekend, especially in areas where multiple feet of snow may accumulate very quickly,” the National Weather Service warned.
Sections of I-90 in Pennsylvania and westbound lanes of the New York Thruway heading toward Pennsylvania were closed. Parts of New York, Ohio, and Michigan saw snowfall of nearly 2 feet (61 cm), while Pennsylvania’s northwestern region reported up to 29 inches (73 cm).
Emergency Measures and Stranded Travelers
In Erie, Pennsylvania, local officials restricted travel to emergency responders, essential workers, and medical emergencies. The heavy snow and icy roads caused vehicles to get stuck, blocking intersections and streets. Residents were urged to stay home to allow crews to clear the roads during a brief lull in the storm.
Impacted by impassable roads, dozens of stranded travelers sought shelter at a fully booked Holiday Inn near I-90. Jeremiah Weatherley, a hotel staffer, described the scene as chaotic but manageable.
“People just kept arriving,” he said. “We couldn’t turn them away.” The hotel opened its conference room and provided blankets for guests to sleep on the floor. By morning, Weatherley distributed bagels, juice, and cereal as guests helped one another dig out their cars.
“Everyone pitched in to help,” he said. “It was heartwarming to see.”
Impacts on Sports and Recreation
In Buffalo, New York, the NFL’s Bills recruited volunteers to shovel snow at their stadium ahead of Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. The team offered $20 per hour, along with food and hot drinks, for those willing to brave the elements.
The storm also brought good news for Michigan’s ski resorts. In Gaylord, Michigan, 24.8 inches (63 cm) of snow fell in a single day, setting a new record. The Treetops Resort welcomed the accumulation as a boost to its slopes, preparing for the season’s opening weekend.
“Natural snowfall like this really helps,” said Doug Hoeh, the resort’s director of recreation. “We’re almost ready to open, but digging out parking lots has been a challenge.”
Bitter Cold and More Snow Expected
Arctic air accompanying the snowstorm brought temperatures 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average to the Northern Plains, triggering cold weather advisories in North Dakota. Meteorologists warned that the cold would spread to the eastern third of the U.S. by Monday, with temperatures remaining about 10 degrees below average.
Lake-effect snow continued to batter Michigan, where warm air rising from the Great Lakes collided with cold, dry air to produce intense snowfall. The Upper Peninsula recorded more than 2 feet (61 cm) of snow in multiple areas, including 27 inches (69 cm) northeast of Ironwood and another 2 feet in Munising.
Lily Chapman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Marquette, Michigan, predicted another foot of snow could fall in the region by Monday morning.
In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency as Erie County received nearly 2 feet of snow by Saturday morning, with more expected through Monday night. State police responded to nearly 200 incidents in 24 hours, highlighting the storm’s impact.
As snowplows worked tirelessly to clear roads and residents dug out of their homes, officials urged travelers to stay alert and avoid unnecessary risks. The early-season storm served as a stark reminder of winter’s power to disrupt lives and plans across the country.
