Arctic Blast to Spell Significant Lake-Effect Snow

A significant outbreak of lake-effect snow will unfold Tuesday throughWednesday night as frigid, Arctic air cuts southeastward out of Canada and overthe Great Lakes.The highest snowfall by Wednesday night will likely reach 1-2 feet in thefavored snow belts along eastern and southern shores of lakes Superior, Huron,Erie and Ontario.

The more northerly winds crossing the still-open lakes will direct the heaviestsnow farther south than those of last week. Thus, northeastern Ohio andnorthwestern Pennsylvania will have a share in the heaviest snow, as will areasof western New York southeast of Lake Ontario. The cities of Cleveland, Erie,Pa., Rochester, N.Y., and Syracuse, N.Y., will likely get in on the action.

Strong wind, heavy snow and blowing snow will make for very tough travel alongthe direct path of heaviest snow bands. At their worst, heaviest snow squallscould shut local stretches of highway. Highway I-90 will cross the longeststretch of lake-effect snow with areas of I-80 and I-81 also affected.

Story By AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.