The third significant lake-effect snowstorm since the end of November is blasting Great Lakes communities with strong winds and heavy snow that has led to treacherous travel conditions and a state of emergency in parts of New York state.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on X that she had declared a state of emergency in several counties, including Jefferson and Erie counties, due to the expected feet of additional snowfall expected through the rest of the week.
In addition, a tandem and empty tractor-trailer ban has been implemented in both directions on the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) from Exit 53 west to the Pennsylvania state line, as well as for portions of Route 5, U.S. 219, N.Y. Route 400 and Interstate 86.
“Our first responders and emergency crews are on the ground ready to deal with this storm,” Hochul said in a post on X. “I urge New Yorkers to take precautions to stay safe.”
The snow has been falling fast and furious across portions of Pennsylvania and New York, with several communities already picking up more than two feet of snow.
