Lake-Effect Snow Returns To Great Lakes As Strong Winds Impact Northeast | Weather.com
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Lake-effect snow squalls have returned to the Great Lakes as strong winds howl across the Northeast today.

ByJonathan ErdmanDecember 6, 2024

Where To Watch For Rounds Of Snow And Ice

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A windy low-pressure system spreading into the Northeast has also regenerated lake-effect snow squalls, piling on to totals that were measured in feet in some locations over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

H​appening now: The radar below shows where the area of low pressure is currently bringing snow and gusty winds to the Great Lakes and Northeast.

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T​he most significant snow is in the Great Lakes snowbelts, but we've seen some snowfall reach as far east as the Interstate 95 corridor in New England this morning. That includes the Boston, Hartford and Providence metro areas.

Short b​ursts of heavier snow have prompted snow squall warnings at times in portions of the Northeast this morning, including parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

(Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.)

Current Radar And Winds

Winter storm, blizzard alerts are in effect: V​arious winter weather alerts have been issued by the National Weather Service in the Great Lakes and interior Northeast. Those alerts are for both snow with the storm system itself as well as lake-effect snow that has developed in the wake of its passage.

Included are​ blizzard warnings that have been posted for Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as higher elevations in the central Appalachians.

T​ravel should be avoided in areas under these blizzard warnings as well other locations in winter storm warnings and lake-effect snow warnings.

Issued by the National Weather Service.

Winter Weather Alerts

A​dditional snowfall totals will be heaviest in the Great Lakes snowbelts through Friday. Below is a look at how much additional snow to expect.

Strong winds expected elsewhere today: W​ind advisories have been issued for broader parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, including New York City to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

W​hile significant snow is not expected in these cities, the strong winds from this storm could gust up to 50 mph today. That might break some tree branches, contribute to sporadic power outages or prompt fight delays.

(​MORE: Winter Outlook Travel Tips From A Meteorologist)

Wind Alerts

F​eet of snow last weekend: The first real widespread lake snow event of the season over the holiday weekend dumped over 5 feet of snow in several locations from northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania, parts of southwest and upstate New York and Ontario, Canada.

A​mong the state leaders were Castorland, New York (65.9 inches); Saybrook, Ohio (61.2 inches); Girard, Pennsylvania (59.3 inches); Otsego Lake, Michigan (46.7 inches); and Echo Bay, Ontario (136 cm or 53.5 inches).

E​rie, Pennsylvania, had only 0.1 inch of snowfall for the season through Thanksgiving. They, then picked up 22.6 inches of snow on Black Friday, alone, their record heaviest calendar-day snow.

S​ault Ste. Marie, Michigan, had their record-longest wait for their first measurable snow of the season, which arrived over a month later than average on November 25. But they were then buried by 42 inches of snow over the last six days of November, almost three times the monthly average.

I​n western New York, the heaviest snow totals were in the southern tier counties of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties where a pair of locations picked up 53 to 54 inches. However, the Buffalo metro's "Southtowns" were also hit with 1 to 3 feet of snow. That included Orchard Park, where the NFL's Buffalo Bills hosted the San Francisco 49ers Sunday night following an effort to both clear out parking lots and stadium.

(​MORE: The NFL's Worst Weather Cities)

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.​