A fierce Arctic cold snap is gripping the United States, unleashing record-breaking snowfalls, bone-chilling temperatures, and widespread travel disruptions.
Great Lakes Snowstorm in Full Force
A great lake-effect snowstorm has hit the Great Lakes region right at its center. The blizzard-like conditions are likely to persist over the weekend and dump as much as 60 inches of snow in areas located downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, such as Watertown, New York. At times, the snowfall rate may approach 3-4 inches per hour, and the storms may also produce rare thunder snow.
In Erie, Pennsylvania, residents were digging out under 30 inches of snow, and parts of Ohio and New York received 20 inches or more. Travel remains hazardous today with Interstate 90 being closed between Cleveland and Buffalo along with other key routes around the region being severely affected by the snow.
The Buffalo Bills' Sunday Night Football game at Highmark Stadium may turn into a snow showdown as 12–18 inches of snow is forecasted in Orchard Park. The "Bills Mafia," a name given to the die-hard fans, have been called to shovel out the stadium.
Freeze Warnings Blanket the South
As the arctic airmass expands, freeze warnings are in place for 9 million people, from Texas to the Carolinas. The South will be bracing for its coldest temperatures since last winter, with the chill expected to linger into next week.
Bitter Cold in Northern Plains and Midwest
In the northern Plains, wind chills have dropped to minus 40 in parts of North Dakota, while the Midwest shakes in subzero temperatures.
Travel Trouble for the Holidays
The post-Thanksgiving traveling is in disarray, too. Snow and ice threatened roadways and major airports were coping with record passengers as the FAA reported it moved 232,000 flights over the Thanksgiving week record.
Safety First in Freezing Temperatures
Authorities are cautioning as road conditions remain treacherous and crashes such as a 15-car pileup in Grand Rapids, Michigan already are being attributed to the frigid weather.
As the Arctic blast continues to tighten its grip officials warn residents to stay indoors, prepare for possible power outages, and to avoid traveling unless necessary.
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