'Urgent' Winter Storm Warning Announced as 36 Inches of Snow, 'Whiteout' Conditions Strike

The Great Lakes region continues to be berated by heavy snowfall as cities east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario have taken several feet of snow over the past few days. According to the latest winter storm warning from the National Weather Service, the area is set to be hit with even more snowfall heading into the weekend.

"Ongoing lake effect snows, particularly downwind of Lakes Ontario and Erie, will persist given the frigid, westerly flow across the fetch. Showers and thunderstorms expected for the interior Southeast today and near the East and Gulf coasts Saturday as a quick moving upper-wave and accompanying low pressure/frontal system moves trough," the National Weather Service revealed.

New York Facing Up to 3 Feet of Snow

The National Weather Service revealed some cities east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, likes Oswego and Lowville, could see snowfall rates of up to 5 inches per hour.

"Heavy lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations 1 to 2 feet, locally up to 3 feet. Snowfall rates of 3-5 inches per hour possible in the most intense part of the band, lessening to 1-2 inches per hour overnight," the NWS said.

It warned of whiteout conditions that could pose life-threatening risk.

"Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel will be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions will impact travel through the week," the NWS advised.

It also warned residents to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

"During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions," it said.

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