Record snowfall blankets parts of U.S. during Thanksgiving snowstorm
A powerful lake-effect snowstorm fueled by record-warm water temperatures in the Great Lakes unleashed its full force over 2024 Thanksgiving weekend in the United States, burying parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan under more than 90 cm (3 feet) of snow. The city of Erie, Pennsylvania, experienced its snowiest day on record on Friday, November 29, receiving 57.4 cm (22.6 inches) of snow in 24 hours. The Arctic air colliding with the warm lake waters triggered intense snowfall rates of up to 100 mm (4 inches) per hour, creating hazardous conditions that are expected to persist until midweek.
Roads being cleared in Erie county after snowfall. Image credit: PA Department of Transport
- A powerful snowstorm brought record snowfall to the Great Lakes region, with Saybrook, Ohio, recording 1.24 meters (49 inches) and Erie, Pennsylvania, experiencing its snowiest day on record with 57.4 cm (22.6 inches) on Friday alone.
- The storm caused widespread travel disruptions, forcing closures on major highways such as Interstates 90 and 86 across Pennsylvania and New York. Over 100 vehicles had to be towed from Route 5 in Dunkirk, New York, while commercial travel bans remain in effect for parts of I-90.
- New York and Pennsylvania declared states of emergency as snow buried several counties. Pennsylvania activated its National Guard to assist stranded drivers and respond to emergencies, while Erie County, Pennsylvania, declared a snow disaster due to dangerous road conditions.
- Nearly 2.9 million people remain under Lake-Effect Snow Warnings in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Additional Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for Michigan, as heavy snow is expected to continue through Wednesday in areas downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario.
A record-breaking lake-effect snowstorm brought heavy snowfall to New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan over the weekend, creating hazardous travel conditions. Snowfall rates reached 25 – 100 mm (1 – 4 inches) per hour, severely impacting roads under the heaviest snow bands.
The city of Erie, Pennsylvania, experienced its snowiest day on record Friday, receiving 57.4 cm (22.6 inches) before surpassing 61 cm (2 feet) on Saturday, November 30.
Snow accumulations exceeded 90 cm (3 feet) in parts of Erie County, Pennsylvania, and Western New York south of Buffalo, as well as downwind of Lake Ontario in Northern New York, with forecasts suggesting an additional 30 – 60 cm (1 – 2 feet) of snow before the storm tapers off.
Interstate 90 was shut down in both directions across Erie County, Pennsylvania. The neighborhood of North East reported over 110 cm (43 inches) of snow as of Sunday morning, with surrounding areas also exceeding 90 cm (3 feet).
Saybrook, Ohio, reported 124 cm (49 inches) of snow by Sunday, while Barnes Corners and Copenhagen in New York recorded 117 cm (46 inches) near the eastern end of Lake Ontario.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced late Saturday, that westbound lanes from Exit 57 to the Pennsylvania state line had reopened to passenger vehicles. However, a commercial travel ban from Exit 46 to the Pennsylvania border remains in effect.
Interstate 86 was also closed near Erie, Pennsylvania, while New York officials issued travel bans in Dunkirk, Fredonia, and Pomfret.
“We have been working tirelessly to keep Route 5 open in the Dunkirk area. However, over 100 vehicles had to be towed to allow our plows to get through,” stated New York State Department of Transport (DOT) officials.
Governor Hochul declared a state of emergency for nearly a dozen upstate New York counties to address the long-duration snow event.
In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro activated the state’s National Guard to assist with stranded drivers and emergency responses.
Erie County Executive Brenton Davis also declared a snow disaster, cautioning, “Roads are dangerous, and travel is strongly discouraged except for emergencies.”
In Michigan, snow totals reached 66.5 cm (26.2 inches) in Sault Ste. Marie and 85.9 cm (33.8 inches) in Gaylord, where Friday’s 63 cm (24.8 inches) set a new record for the city’s snowiest calendar day. The Upper Peninsula’s western regions near Ironwood saw 68.6 cm (27 inches), with Munising in the eastern area recording 61 cm (2 feet).
Snowfall and traffic disruptions extended into Ohio, with Interstate 90 experiencing multiple crashes east of Cleveland on Sunday, December 1.
Nearly 2.9 million people across western and northern New York, northwestern Pennsylvania, and northeastern Ohio remain under a Lake-Effect Snow Warning through at least Monday, December 2. Additional Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for Michigan’s snow-prone areas.
There are currently no major power outages as a result of this storm.
Lake-effect snow is expected to continue in the days ahead as cold Arctic air continues moving down from Canada and interacting with record-warm Great Lakes.
More than 30 cm (1 foot) of additional snow is possible in Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula through Monday morning, while another 15 – 25 cm (6 – 10 inches) is likely to the west.
According to Lily Chapman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS), upper-level roughing will persist over the lower Great Lakes and Northeast through Tuesday afternoon, December 3.
Heavy lake-effect snow will continue downwind of Lake Erie until Wednesday, December 4 while light to moderate snow persists near Lake Ontario through the same period.
References:
1 Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – December 2, 2024
2 Paralyzing lake-effect snow continues to pummel Great Lakes, dumps more than 40 inches amid arctic blast – Fox Weather– December 1, 2024
3 Major snowstorm blankets parts of U.S. over Thanksgiving weekend – CBS – December 1, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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