Photos: Accidents close interstates as intense lake-effect snow hits Great Lakes
The first widespread and heavy lake-effect snow of the season struck downwind of the Great Lakes this weekend. A nightmare ensued for motorists as officials closed stretches of several interstates.
As cold air passed over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes, lake-effect snow streamed across Michigan, northern Ohio, western and central Pennsylvania and upstate New York Friday night through Saturday.
The lake-effect snow followed the winter-like storm that dropped snow across the Midwest and interior Northeast to end the week.
Snow rates of 3 inches per hour for two hours contributed to 9 inches of snow in 12 hours at Perrysburg, New York. The town measured a total of nearly 14 inches through midday Saturday.
Chicago, Illinois, is experiencing its first measurable snowfall of the season. It's having an effect on commuters in and out of the city on Nov. 9.
Between the storm and lake-effect snow, two feet of snow buried Gile, Wisconsin. A total of 17 inches of snow was measured at Ironwood, Michigan.
From Friday night to Saturday morning, 13.5 inches of lake-effect snow fell in 12 hours near North East in northwestern Pennsylvania.
In addition to burying snowfall totals, the intense snow bands created dangerous travel conditions by dramatically reducing visibility and coating roads.
South of Buffalo, visibility dropped to zero in Dunkirk, New York, and persistent thundersnow was reported for at least two hours on Saturday morning.
Officials were forced to close a stretch of Interstate 90 between Buffalo, New York, and Erie, Pennsylvania, on Saturday morning.
As the snow showers streamed across central Pennsylvania, accidents ensued and portions of interstates 80 and 99 were shut down for a time.
There are no word of injuries related to any of the crashes.
Residents and motorists should stay alert for slick spots on untreated roads and sidewalks, especially in shaded areas.
A few snow showers and flurries may persist on Sunday near the shores of lakes Erie and Ontario. There can be a fresh coating and isolated slick spots.
Across the western Great Lakes, the lake-effect snow will transition to a more widespread swath of nuisance snow streaking in from the Dakotas for the second half of the weekend.
This snow will deliver a general coating to 2 inches, leading to more slippery conditions.
After another storm spreads snow from the Ohio Valley to the interior Northeast early this week, areas downwind of the Great Lakes will face more lake-effect snow and dangerous travel. The lake-effect snow is expected to develop from west to east Tuesday into Wednesday.
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