Big Lake effect snow on the way

A significant lake effect snow event will impact the Great Lakes starting on Thanksgiving and continuing into the weekend. Feet of snow may snarl post-Thanksgiving travel.

Parts of the Great Lakes region will be getting a lot of snow later this week into the weekend. The TemperatureRadar shows arctic air blasting across the Great Lakes starting tomorrow. When you combine this cold air with unusually warm water temperatures in the Great Lakes, a prolific lake effect snow event will set up.

The comparatively warm waters of the Great Lakes will provide plenty of instability for snow showers. The WeatherRadar shows snow showers starting on Thanksgiving and continuing into the holiday weekend. The WindRadar shows northwest winds, which means the bands of lake effect snow will focus on western and northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, northwestern Indiana, northwestern Pennsylvania, northeastern Ohio and portions of western and northern New York.

Some of the biggest impacts will be felt from Erie, Pa., to communities south of Buffalo, N.Y., where snow totals in excess of one foot are possible. Similar totals are also possible from Syracuse to Watertown, N.Y. Parts of Michigan, including Traverse City and Saulte Ste. Marie, could see 6-12 inches of snow through the weekend.

Travel conditions can quickly deteriorate in a short amount of time as lake effect snow bands set up. Keep an eye on the WeatherRadar and prepare for travel delays.