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Winter has tightened its grip on communities across the interior Northeast. Residents woke up to over 40 inches of snow on Wednesday morning. The major winter weather event created chaos on the morning commute and overwhelmed emergency services who were stalling out in the snow. 

In the first lake-effect snow event of the season, more than 40 inches of snow blanketed parts of the Great Lakes and the interior Northeast over the past 48 hours. 

Constableville, New York, bore the brunt of this wintry onslaught, recording a staggering 42.7 inches of snow.

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Winter Weather Warnings

While all lake-effect snow warnings had expired by 7 a.m. Wednesday, the aftermath lingered, and scattered snow showers continued across the Great Lakes. 

Although heavy snowfall wasn't anticipated throughout the day, residents were cautioned about the possibility of 1 to 2 inches of additional snow.

During the peak travel period on Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service in Buffalo, New York, warned of reduced visibility, projecting a snowfall rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Buffalo police issued a winter weather advisory from 4 a.m., urging motorists to exercise caution.

Wednesday marked the coldest day of the season, so far, for much of the East Coast, even reaching as far south as Florida. New York City experienced temperatures in the upper 20s, signaling the onset of a frigid spell. However, forecasts indicated a gradual rise in temperatures toward the weekend.

Reports on Social Media

Social media buzzed with images of heavy snowfall along Route 4 in Killington, Vermont, attesting to the intensity of the winter weather event. In Pennsylvania, Greene Township recorded 15.5 inches of snow, amplifying the scope of the wintry conditions.

Tragically, in Killington, Vermont, a bus collided with another vehicle on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the death of 71-year-old Mark J. Candon from Rutland. The collision underscored the perilous road conditions that had gripped the region.

Lake-effect event

Lake-effect snow is a localized weather phenomenon. It occurs in certain geographic regions, particularly near large bodies of relatively warm water, such as the Great Lakes in the Northeast.

 The process begins when cold air masses move over the warm waters of a lake, picking up moisture and heat. As the warm, moist air rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds. And eventually results in substantial snowfall downwind of the lake.