Lake Effect Snow Lingers Today

After a large and powerful storm system produced widespread heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and even snow, calmer conditions will begin to return to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic today. 

Powerful low pressure will move through the Northeast and exit into the northern Atlantic Ocean by the end of the day. This will mean that storm-tested residents from the Mid-Atlantic to New England have the worst of the weather behind them. Tentacles of the storm, however, won’t easily be dislodged from parts of West Virginia’s Appalachian Spine to the Great Lakes. This is where cold, sub-freezing air will mix with lingering moisture to squeeze out accumulating snow for the first half of today.

Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories blanket the eastern Great Lakes throughout much of the Appalachian Spine. Rochester, Buffalo, and Jamestown, N.Y., Erie and Johnstown, Pa., and Cleveland to Elkins, Snowshoe, and Beckley, W. Va., are included.

Additional snow accumulations today will generally averge one to three inches, but locally higher amounts of 5-6 inches will be possible over the higher elevations of southwestern New York, western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. When combined with 20-25 mph wind gusts and low visibility, hazardous travel will be possible on area roadways and interstates, such as Interstate 80 and Interstate 90. 

While the rain has ended across most of the Nortehast and Mid-Atlantic, many area rivers and creeks remain flooded this morning and will add to the travel woes throughout the region as waters slowly recede over the next day or two. The good news is that little to no additional rainfall is expected for the remainder of the week, so those with holiday travel plans shouldn't encounter any new issues from Mother Nature. 

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time.

Be sure to have multiple ways to get the latest weather information from local TV, weather radio, or the WeatherBug app. WeatherBug meteorologists will continue to track the latest on this ongoing system.