Winter Storm Warning Issued Amid Additional 36 Inches of Snow, 'Hazardous' Conditions
The National Weather Service issued a new warning on New Year's Eve as the Great Lakes area is set to be hit with a dangerous winter storm that could bring heavy amounts of snow.
"Arctic air behind a departing intense cyclone will continue to surge into much of the eastern two-thirds of the country today. In the process, the lake-effect 'snow machine' will remain active downwind from the Great Lakes, and will be reinforced with the arrival of an Alberta clipper today," the NWS said.
States East of Lake Erie, Ontario Set to Receive Heaviest Snow
The National Weather Service revealed the "highest snowfall totals are forecast to be downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario where an additional 1-2 feet with locally 3+ feet possible within the heaviest snow bands over the next couple of days."
Meanwhile, "a reinforcing surge of arctic will follow behind the clipper system as an arctic high pressure system from Canada will descend into the northern U.S. today."
The "forceful" push of arctic cold front is expected to produce heavy snow showers and even snow squalls as many get ready to celebrate New Year's Eve.
New York Bracing for Up to 36 Inches of Snow
Michigan just received the brunt of the major winter storm with cities receiving over 20 inches of snowfall in a single day. In New York, Syracuse set a December record with over 19 inches of snow in a 24 hour period, but the state is hardly home free.
The National Weather Service is calling for an additional 1-to-3 feet of snowfall from Wednesday afternoon into Saturday, Jan. 3. "Travel will be very difficult with deep snow cover on roads and very poor visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening commutes," it warned.
The NWS called for residents to be prepared for "rapidly-changing" weather conditions.
"During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions," it said.
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