A dramatic lake-effect snowfall in parts of the United States coupled with significant snow accumulations in areas around the Great Lakes make the situation worse. This storm which has already caused major disruptions in the region is set to be another foot or two which surprisingly creates even more problems for the locals and the visitors. The storm itself has quite strong continuous snowfall where there is a constant character that raises concerns about infrastructure, traveling and even the supply of power itself.
Lake-Effect Snow: Definition
Frigid dry air flowing out over the warm Great Lakes causes Lake Effect Snow which then makes it more applicable to other areas. When this temperature difference happens the air must take in some of the moisture from the lake and this will create clouds that tend to produce snow when they move towards the land. This type of snow showers can be classified as intense and localized, Therefore some regions may see a lot of snowfall while others in close proximity may remain fairly dry. Lake-effect snow is very hard to predict since random snow bands are often present that produce highly variable conditions.
Locations Affected
The focused region at the moment experiencing the lake-effect snowfall is around the Great Lakes region including Michigan, New York and Ohio states. About Buffalo and Rochester, New York are some of the places getting the most snow as areas NW of the state have estimates of 1 to 2 feet above snow this storm.
Much to the disadvantage of the days ahead, heavy snowfall is being predicted in western parts of Ohio including Cleveland and Toledo as well although the intensity of snowfall may not be as high as the latter regions.
This phenomena of lake-effect snow is witnessed quite often in upsate New York and its a winter storm that continues hammering the state persistently over the years. With these regions witnessing up to two inches of snow every hour moving forward, visibility is going to take a downward plunge rendering the travel extremely unsafe. Travel warnings have already been put in place because locals in authority believe that unneeded travel should be avoided at all costs.
Effects Travel And Day To Day Activities
Lake-effect blizzard should not just be seen from a meteorological angle but also it brings with itself a significant factor that angers many different kinds of populations. In certain areas driving is almost perilous because of the combination of snow covered roads, poor visibility and fast accumulation of snow. Local government officials in Buffalo, New York have emerged from out of closed doors warning that the snow build up was going to create slip hazard which in turn could lead to accidents as well cause emergency responses to be delayed.
Another big disturbance is air travelling. Buffalo Niagara International Airport located in New York has recorded flight delays and cancellations which will only increase as forecasted snow fall increases.
Since delays are anticipated, travelers should confirm with the airlines for additional pertinent information as rerouting might be possible. Despite the efforts being put in by the airport ground crews to assist in clearing the runways, the goal of maintaining order in operations is under stress due to the persistent heavy snowfall.
Also, there is an increase in the chances of the public transit systems in Buffalo and Syracuse getting delayed or even shut down completely due to the excessive amounts of snow. While the storm creates conditions that are not safe for traveling on roads and rails, then buses and trains may be forced to suspend or reroute their services on a temporary basis.
Disruptions in Power Supply and Load Shedding of Infrastructure
Extended periods of snow promote even more outages of the power supply. Snow-covered limbs of trees and debris from fallen trees may cause lines to be downed which could lead to outages well. Current outages are being experienced by many homes and businesses in the affected areas but even more are expected in the next few days. Their attempts are made even more difficult by the severity of the storm as crews work to restore power.
Essential services are also over burdened as local authorities strive to keep the roads safe for travel and address reports of emergencies as quickly as possible. Although there are salt trucks and snowplows constantly attending to the situation, the volume of snowfall means that certain areas, particularly more remote or countryside locations will remain inaccessible.
Prepare for Snowfall
As expected, residents are to brace themselves as the lake-effect snowstorm continues to move steadily across the region.
People residing in areas exposed to heavy snowfalls should store food, water, and batteries in case of power cut. Such winter safety kits include blankets, torches, and sand/salt to help people with traction and these must be kept in the vehicle of drivers.
The same authorities suggest that travel should only be undertaken when it is absolutely necessary and that people remain indoors where possible. In case where travel is inescapable, it is crucial to check the road regularly and ensure the vehicle has been fitted with snow tires and that the petrol tank is nearly full.
Even so
The constant lake-effect snowfall should be viewed as a harsh reminder of the volatile nature of the winters in the Great Lakes region. Treatment of the population should be about making preparations and be mindful of their safety because of the heavy fall of snow which is forecasted to continue. More areas will be affected and the full extent of the snow will be experienced as the storm amplifies. While this storm comes with challenges for the region, it also presents an opportunity for the people to come together and weather the storm with a strong sense of purpose and determination.
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