A powerful snowstorm blanketed parts of the U.S. over the Thanksgiving weekend, causing widespread disruption in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and surrounding areas. The storm, one of the season’s first major weather events, brought heavy snow, bitterly cold temperatures, and hazardous travel conditions that persisted into the early days of the following week.
By Saturday, snow accumulations had reached nearly 2 feet in some parts of New York, Ohio, and Michigan, with Pennsylvania’s northwestern tip recording up to 29 inches. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that Buffalo, New York, saw up to 18 inches of snow by 7 a.m. Saturday, and snowfall continued throughout the day, with some areas around Lake Ontario and Lake Erie receiving up to 24 inches. Forecasters warned that snow would continue to accumulate through the weekend, with some regions east of the lakes expecting up to two feet of snow.
The storm prompted emergency declarations in New York and Pennsylvania, with authorities urging travelers to avoid non-essential travel. In Pennsylvania, snow blocked intersections and streets, causing travel delays and forcing the closure of parts of Interstate 90 and the New York Thruway. In response, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency, as snowdrifts and slick conditions led to numerous accidents. State police reported nearly 200 incidents from Friday morning to Saturday morning.
The extreme weather also caused a spike in demand for emergency shelter, with travelers stranded by impassable roads taking refuge in hotels. In Erie, Pennsylvania, officials restricted travel to emergency responders and essential personnel only, while a nearby Holiday Inn offered shelter to stranded travelers, providing blankets and a place to stay as snow continued to fall.
In addition to heavy snow, the storm brought an Arctic blast to much of the Northern Plains, with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average. Cold advisories were issued for parts of North Dakota and other regions, with freezing temperatures expected to spread eastward. Frigid conditions extended well into the Midwest and Great Lakes, impacting Thanksgiving weekend travel.
In Michigan, lake-effect snow caused by a mix of warm, moist air from Lake Superior and cold air overhead buried parts of the Upper Peninsula under more than 2 feet of snow. The region recorded up to 27 inches of snow northeast of Ironwood, with additional snow expected to fall through Monday morning. Despite the challenging conditions, the heavy snow was welcomed by ski resorts in Michigan, including Treetops Resort, which celebrated the early snowfall ahead of the season’s opening next weekend.
In New York, snowfall rates reached as much as 3 inches per hour in some areas, leading to blinding conditions and making driving treacherous. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul assured residents that snowplows and state personnel were being deployed to manage the crisis, while utility providers were on standby to respond to potential power outages.
As the storm continued through the weekend, forecasters warned that travel could be “difficult to impossible” in many affected areas, especially in regions experiencing heavy snowfalls and drifting. With snow expected to persist through Tuesday, travelers were advised to stay updated on weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel in affected regions.
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