Week-long snowstorm dumps feet of lake-effect snow on the Great Lakes
Snow totals across the Great Lakes through the weekend could range between a few inches and a few feet as more lake-effect snow is dumped on the region.
Syracuse shatters snow records as lake-effect storm drops even more snow on Great Lakes
Syracuse has nearly doubled its yearly average snow records so far this season with 76 inches reported. More snow is on the way through New Year's Day as a lake-effect snow storm rattles the Great Lakes.
Portions of the Great Lakes are ending 2025 on a snowy note as a week-long lake-effect snowstorm dumped feet of snow across the region with more to come in the new year.
As the new year begins on Thursday, parts of western and upstate New York could see another foot of snow, where several inches were reported earlier in the week.
Syracuse, New York has already nearly doubled its average snowfall record for the year, and saw more than two feet of snow on Tuesday alone.
(FOX Weather)
That marks the city's second-snowiest day on record and their snowiest December day ever.
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reported from Syracuse during some of the heaviest snow on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Lake-effect snow slams Syracuse with historic snowfall
Syracuse was slammed with 2 feet snow yesterday, as it marked the second snowiest day on record, causing a hectic day for crews trying to keep the roads safe. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne is back in Syracuse with a recap and update on the conditions as even more snow is expected:
A statewide State of Emergency remains in effect for New York as the state's Department of Transportation works hard to treat and clear roads ahead of more snowfall.
Areas closer to lakes Erie and Ontario are likely to see more snow this time around, as a pronounced dip in the jet stream settles just south of the Northern Tier.
![Intense snowfall rates of 5 inches per hour in Redfield, NY on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.]()
Image 1 of 5Intense snowfall rates of 5 inches per hour in Redfield, NY on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (@NYSWRCC/X)
![Plows hard at work in Cattaraugus County, New York, clearing snow from roads on Dec. 30, 2025.]()
Image 2 of 5Plows hard at work in Cattaraugus County, New York, clearing snow from roads on Dec. 30, 2025. (@NYSDOTBuffalo/X)
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Image 3 of 5Lake-effect snow creates whiteout conditions in Syracuse, NY on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Katie Byrne)
![Car left at shores of Lake Erie in Athol Springs, NY, freezes to parking lot inside and out.]()
Image 4 of 5Car left at shores of Lake Erie in Athol Springs, NY, freezes to parking lot inside and out. (@weather_buffalo via Storyful)
![Dangerous snow blankets Michigan during post-holiday winter storm]()
Image 5 of 5Dangerous snow blankets Michigan during post-holiday winter storm (Brandon Copic)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, winds will continue to funnel cold air over the comparatively warmer waters of the Great Lakes through New Year’s Day.
The National Weather Service office in Binghamton, New York, warned that snow squalls were possible Wednesday night, so people out celebrating the New Year should use extreme caution when traveling.
Think of a snow squall like a miniature blizzard with gusty winds that typically last less than an hour. Very high snowfall rates, on the order of 2 inches in 30 minutes, are not uncommon.
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Snow will continue to fall through Friday, where totals will vary.
The FOX Forecast Center said snow totals downwind of Lake Ontario could approach three feet near the Tug Hill Plateau in upstate New York by Saturday morning.
Elsewhere, snow totals could range from 8 to 12 inches south of Buffalo. Parts of Pennsylvania could see up to a foot of new snow by Saturday morning.
(FOX Weather)
Winter weather alerts are in place through Saturday morning across the Great Lakes.
The FOX Forecast Center said, as with any lake-effect snow event, pinpointing exactly which communities will receive the highest totals remains challenging.
(FOX Weather)
These narrow snow bands can shift north or south with subtle changes in wind direction, leading to sharp contrasts in snowfall, where one location may receive two feet of snow while another just three miles away sees only a few inches.