Record-breaking Thanksgiving snowstorm causes treacherous travel conditions

MARQUETTE, Mich. The Great Lakes region is experiencing the most intense lake-effect snowfall of the season, delivering several feet of snow across the Snowbelt and causing severe travel disruptions for holiday travelers on the Friday following Thanksgiving. The heaviest snow is expected to shift eastward across Michigan's Upper Peninsula, particularly affecting areas near Sault Ste. Marie, which previously avoided the worst of the snowbands.

In New York, the most intense snowfall is forecast along Interstate 86 near Jamestown and Olean. Further north, another heavy snowband will impact Interstate 90, affecting Rochester, Syracuse, and possibly Albany. Whiteout conditions are expected to persist into Friday night. Parts of Interstate 90 south of Erie, Pennsylvania, were temporarily closed due to disabled vehicles, and speed restrictions were in place on Thanksgiving morning.

Earlier this week, a separate winter storm created hazardous driving conditions and led to hundreds of crashes across the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Snow plows have been working to clear roads, including Interstate 86 in Sherman, New York. In Wisconsin, a semi-truck jackknifed on Interstate 43, striking two cars and causing one fatality. More than 55,000 homes were without power early Thanksgiving morning across Wisconsin, Michigan, and western New York.

The strongest lake-effect snow on Friday is expected in Ohio, Pennsylvania, western New York, and the Tug Hill Plateau, where warnings remain in effect. Western New York and northeastern Pennsylvania could still see nearly a foot of snow from this system. Northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula have already recorded snowfall totals exceeding 25 inches, with Hurley, Michigan, receiving 31.3 inches. Gaylord, Michigan, set a new daily snowfall record on Thanksgiving with 13.1 inches, surpassing the previous record of 10.1 inches in 2023.

The National Weather Service advises travelers to prepare for rapidly worsening conditions. "When the snow bands arrive, visibility drops to near zero, making travel extremely dangerous," said meteorologist Britta Merwin. Major highways at risk include Interstate 90 through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, along with Interstates 94, 75, and 69 in Michigan.

Meanwhile, a second winter storm is forming, expected to impact over 40 states as holiday travelers return home. The Central U.S. may see strong winds and heavy snow, causing airport delays. A low-pressure system in the Rockies will bring Denver its first snow of the season, moving across the Central Plains on Friday into Saturday, producing 58 inches in parts of Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and Illinois. Chicago could receive 812 inches, potentially setting a record for the city's snowiest two-day November period since 1884.

Airports in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit may face significant delays. South of Interstate 70, the Mid-Mississippi Valley and surrounding areas will see repeated heavy rain starting Saturday, reaching the East Coast by Sunday, with travel disruptions likely continuing into Monday.

Author: Sophia Brooks