First major winter storm brings lake-effect snow and travel chaos this week
Residents across the interior Northeast, from Appalachia to Pittsburgh and up to northern New England, can brace themselves for their first snow of the season, expected late Monday into Tuesday. Winter Weather Advisories are already in effect for parts of the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin, with significant snowfall anticipated.
The Midwest and northern New England could also experience their initial snowfall early next week, courtesy of an arctic blast. By Monday, the first lake-effect snow event will commence in the eastern Great Lakes, from Erie to Buffalo and possibly Syracuse. Wind gusts up to 35 mph are predicted, which could create hazardous driving conditions during the morning commute and afternoon on Monday.
Chicago and South Bend, Indiana, are under a Winter Storm Watch, with potentially heavy lake-effect snow expected. Snow rates up to 2 inches per hour and totals up to 6 inches are possible. Meanwhile, some areas off the lakes could see a few inches of snow, but exact amounts and locations remain uncertain.
The combination of very warm Great Lakes and arctic air will trigger lake-effect snow late this weekend into the new workweek. However, warming temperatures next week will quickly melt any snow that sticks to the ground after the arctic blast.
