The biggest lake-effect snow event of the season thus far is pummeling the Great Lakes Snowbelt, and is expected to deliver feet of snow through Black Friday, creating long periods of life-threatening travel conditions across major Interstate highways this Thanksgiving holiday.
Parts of Interstate 90 just south of Erie, Pennsylvania were closed due to a disabled vehicle and speed restrictions were in place on Thanksgiving morning.
The highest snow reports so far are approaching 3 feet around Ironwood, Michigan. Whiteout conditions are expected through Friday.
That comes after an initial winter storm system created treacherous travel conditions and caused hundreds of crashes and dozens of driving injuries across the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan earlier this week.
Outside of Milwaukee, Ozaukee County officials said a semi tractor-trailer lost control and jackknifed across the median on Interstate 43 and hit two oncoming cars, leaving one person dead Wednesday afternoon.
THANKSGIVING WEEK STORM LIVE TRACKER: RADAR, FLIGHT DELAYS AND TRAVEL CANCELLATIONS AND FORECASTS
More than 55,000 customers were without power early Thanksgiving morning across Wisconsin, Michigan and western New York, as consistent wind gusts in excess of 50 mph are expected to delay air travel and cause additional power outages.
This graphic shows live radar of the Great Lakes. (FOX Weather)
Lake-effect snow warnings are in effect across Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and western New York on Thanksgiving Day.
Blizzard Warnings are in effect through Thanksgiving morning across parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin, where over a foot of snow has already fallen.
WINTER STORMS TO BRING DISASTROUS THANKSGIVING TRAVEL CONDITIONS FOR MILLIONS ACROSS 40+ STATES
Winter Weather Alerts. (FOX Weather)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the Upper Peninsula is expected to receive feet of snow by the time this event winds down, which is expected late Friday.
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Gale conditions are expected along the shores of Lake Superior with wave heights exceeding 20 feet. Those who live near the lake will also have to contend with minor lakeshore flooding and beach erosion.
Expected snowfall. (FOX Weather)
The Great Lakes Snowbelt in Ohio, Pennsylvania, western New York, and New York’s Tug Hill Plateau are also expected to receive feet of lake-effect snow, with the worst of the snow expected to fall on Thanksgiving Day.
Heavy snow and wind gusts in excess of 50 mph are likely and will lead to whiteout driving conditions.
Expected snowfall. (FOX Weather)
National Weather Service offices are advising those who have to travel to prepare for rapidly deteriorating road conditions.
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Intense lake-effect snow unleashes treacherous Thanksgiving travel conditions as winter storms turn deadly
