USA: Historic snowfall buries western New York in 6 feet of snow

New York: A historic snowstorm continued to pound western New York state on Saturday with more than 6 feet of snow in some places. Roads have been shut and several flights have been cancelled in the Buffalo area. The snowfall was blamed for at least two deaths due to 'cardiac events' related to shoveling and moving snow, county officials said.

Extreme close-range thundersnow in Buffalo, NY ❄️⚡️

Historic snowstorm is now underway.

Credit 🎥: @Dave_WXpic.twitter.com/JtKpu5klfA

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) November 18, 2022

According to Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, 280 people required rescue during the storm. Hochul praised the state's storm readiness on Saturday afternoon and claimed that crews have been working nonstop to control the situation.

 She commended residents of western New York for closing key thoroughfares, enforcing travel restrictions, and staying in their homes prior to the arrival of snow, actions that helped avoid accidents, safeguard lives, and guarantee that the roadways are safe and clear for emergency services.

- I can’t remember ever seeing this much lightning in a snow storm!! #WestSeneca #NewYork just south of #Buffalo pic.twitter.com/IBCW5l3yxV

— WeatherGoingWILD (@WeatherGoinWILD) November 18, 2022

The National Weather Service reports that more than 6 feet of snow had already fallen in two spots. The Buffalo Bills' home field of Orchard Park has received 77.0 inches of precipitation during the past 48 hours, while Natural Bridge, located just east of Watertown, has received 72.3 inches.

Update: it's still snowing. 😱#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/pxyxWzm2tv

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 19, 2022

Over 8 million people in six Great Lakes states—Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York—are still under winter weather advisories as of Saturday night. 

 According to CNN, forecasters and officials have been warning the public about the potentially fatal nature of this snowstorm, which is unprecedented even for the Buffalo area where heavy snowfall is the norm in the winter. Through the weekend, snowfall is anticipated to continue with only brief respite.

Just relentless thunder snow!!#thundersnow #thunder #snowstorm #buffalosnow #Buffalosnowstorm @TomNiziol @ReedTimmerAccu @JimCantore @WeatherNation @wunderground @accuweather pic.twitter.com/a09CRFF5wj

— BuffaloWeather (@weather_buffalo) November 18, 2022

Squalls began blowing in from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on Thursday to produce the region's first major snowstorm of the season, more than a month before the start of winter. According to the National Weather Service, conditions could persist through Monday morning.