Monster Lake-Effect Snowstorm Pummels New York

A historic lake-effect snowstorm slammed New York, leaving behind 3-5 feet of snow in some areas and causing widespread travel chaos during the busy post-Thanksgiving travel period. This is the season's first major lake-effect snow event, and snowfall totals have been truly epic.

Devastating Impact and Record Snowfall

The hardest-hit areas were cities and towns downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, stretching from northwestern Pennsylvania into western and northern New York. Snowfall rates reached an astonishing 4 inches per hour, overwhelming snow removal efforts. Interstate 90, a major highway, was temporarily closed due to the dangerous conditions.

<img src="https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5ny.com/www.fox5ny.com/content/uploads/2024/12/932/524/snow-reports.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="Snowfall totals map">

The sheer volume of snow and intense snowfall rates caused widespread disruption. FOX Weather Storm Tracker Brandon Copic described the situation as "chaos," with vehicles struggling and becoming stranded, particularly on Route 5 near the Pennsylvania-New York border.

<img src="https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5ny.com/www.fox5ny.com/content/uploads/2024/12/932/524/getty-snow.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="People navigating through heavy snow">

Despite the challenges, the Department of Transportation worked tirelessly, reopening I-90 to passenger vehicles on Saturday and fully reopening it by Monday morning. However, travel remains treacherous in many areas.

Rare Weather Phenomena and Ongoing Alerts

The storm wasn't just about record snowfall; it also produced rare thundersnow and even waterspouts off Lake Erie. Videos captured the spectacular – and dangerous – lightning and thunder accompanying the heavy snow in areas like Blasdell and near Buffalo.

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Winter weather alerts remain in effect across the region, with Lake-Effect Snow Warnings extending at least into Tuesday. The FOX Forecast Center anticipates additional snow, potentially another foot or more in some areas, and warns of dangerous travel conditions on major highways, including I-90, I-86, and I-79. The intense snow bands off Lake Ontario have weakened, but concerns remain for I-90 between Rochester and Syracuse. Communities near Lake Superior and Lake Michigan also face heavy snow and near-whiteout conditions.