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Snow Continues to Pile Up in Great Lakes, Northeast
December 5, 2024 at 08:45 PM EST
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Alyssa Robinette
Mother Nature has no plans of shutting off the snow machine over the Great Lakes and Northeast today. High winds and heavy snow will likely lead to dangerous travel and power outages.
A large low pressure system will strengthen as it spins from the Great Lakes into New Brunswick today. This low pressure system will have a good amount of moisture associated with it. Blustery northwest winds behind the system will also allow Arctic air to invade southward into the eastern half of the U.S.
Expect widespread snow throughout the Great Lakes, Appalachia, the northern Mid-Atlantic and interior Northeast today. The greatest chance for snow will likely occur into the early afternoon, with snow tapering off and perhaps ending for the rest of the day. Light to moderate snowfall totals will be found in most places, but the tallest elevations of Appalachia and northeastern New England will end up with heavier totals. Some locally heavy snow will occur east or east-southeast of the Great Lakes as the very warm waters enhance snowfall.
Through early Friday morning, extensive snowfall totals of 4 to 9 inches will be in the forecast for parts of the Great Lakes and the higher elevations of the interior Northeast. This includes areas downwind of Lake Superior, Michigan, Erie and Ontario in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, western Michigan, northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. It also includes the Green and White mountains, Berkshires, Adirondacks, Catskills and Allegheny Mountains. However, locally higher amounts of 11 to 20 inches will be possible.
A Blizzard Warning is in effect for parts of the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia. Otherwise, widespread Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories and Lake-Effect Snow Warnings cover most of the Great Lakes, Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic.
As if the heavy snow wasn’t enough, winds will remain breezy to strong from the Great Lakes to Northeast. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be common for most areas, though locally higher wind gusts are possible. Wind Advisories are posted throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Areas that see heavy snow and high winds will have very difficult to near impossible travel. Snow and blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, with near-blizzard conditions at times. Snowfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour are possible. Downed trees, branches and power lines are likely. Power outages will remain a concern into Friday morning.
This low pressure system finally moves out of the Northeast on Friday, allowing snow to come to an end for most places. Persistent northwesterly winds moving over the warm Great Lakes will continue to produce lake-effect snow for some areas.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of emergency. Be sure to have multiple ways to get the latest weather information from local TV, weather radio, or the WeatherBug app. With bitterly cold air in place, it is the time to check on the elderly, keep pets inside and dress in as many layers as possible to avoid hypothermia.
A large low pressure system will strengthen as it spins from the Great Lakes into New Brunswick today. This low pressure system will have a good amount of moisture associated with it. Blustery northwest winds behind the system will also allow Arctic air to invade southward into the eastern half of the U.S.
Expect widespread snow throughout the Great Lakes, Appalachia, the northern Mid-Atlantic and interior Northeast today. The greatest chance for snow will likely occur into the early afternoon, with snow tapering off and perhaps ending for the rest of the day. Light to moderate snowfall totals will be found in most places, but the tallest elevations of Appalachia and northeastern New England will end up with heavier totals. Some locally heavy snow will occur east or east-southeast of the Great Lakes as the very warm waters enhance snowfall.
Through early Friday morning, extensive snowfall totals of 4 to 9 inches will be in the forecast for parts of the Great Lakes and the higher elevations of the interior Northeast. This includes areas downwind of Lake Superior, Michigan, Erie and Ontario in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, western Michigan, northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. It also includes the Green and White mountains, Berkshires, Adirondacks, Catskills and Allegheny Mountains. However, locally higher amounts of 11 to 20 inches will be possible.
A Blizzard Warning is in effect for parts of the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia. Otherwise, widespread Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories and Lake-Effect Snow Warnings cover most of the Great Lakes, Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic.
As if the heavy snow wasn’t enough, winds will remain breezy to strong from the Great Lakes to Northeast. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be common for most areas, though locally higher wind gusts are possible. Wind Advisories are posted throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Areas that see heavy snow and high winds will have very difficult to near impossible travel. Snow and blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, with near-blizzard conditions at times. Snowfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour are possible. Downed trees, branches and power lines are likely. Power outages will remain a concern into Friday morning.
This low pressure system finally moves out of the Northeast on Friday, allowing snow to come to an end for most places. Persistent northwesterly winds moving over the warm Great Lakes will continue to produce lake-effect snow for some areas.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of emergency. Be sure to have multiple ways to get the latest weather information from local TV, weather radio, or the WeatherBug app. With bitterly cold air in place, it is the time to check on the elderly, keep pets inside and dress in as many layers as possible to avoid hypothermia.