BUFFALO, N.Y – The first major snowfall of the season threatened to bury New York cities along Lakes Erie and Ontario during a hectic holiday and shopping weekend.

Heavy lake snow in Michigan was expected to continue into the weekend in northern parts of the state, according to the National Weather Service in Gaylord. Some areas of the Upper Peninsula could see up to 3 feet (0.9 meters) of snow Sunday night through Monday, National Weather Service meteorologist Lily Chapman said.

As flakes began flying Friday, New York state forecasters warned that 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) of blowing and drifting snow could fall in Watertown and other areas east of Lake Ontario through Monday.

After an unusually mild fall, up to 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) of snow was possible along Lake Erie and south of Buffalo from lake effect bands, notorious for blanketing the region with snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches ( 5) is hit up to 10 centimeters) per hour. Lake effect snow occurs when warm, moist air rising from a body of water mixes with cold, dry air above it.

“The lake has a temperature of 50 degrees (10 degrees Celsius). We’re about six degrees above what we should be at this time of year, that’s why we’re seeing these severe lake effect events,” said Erie County Public Works Commissioner William Geary. “With the outlook for the next two weeks of December, we’re likely to see more.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency for affected counties, allowing state authorities to mobilize resources. Rapidly deteriorating conditions led to closures along Interstate 90 on Friday, and tandem and commercial vehicles were banned on Interstate 86 in Western New York and much of State Route 219 starting Friday afternoon.

“There is a significant number of vehicles coming off the road on 219 right now,” Gregory Butcher, deputy director of preparedness and homeland security for Erie County, said at an afternoon briefing.

ATVs and snowmobiles have been deployed throughout the county to assist first responders if needed, Butcher said.

The Buffalo Bills called for volunteers to potentially shovel snow at Highmark Stadium, where there could be more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) of snow ahead of Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Last year, a severe lake-effect storm forced the NFL to postpone the Bills’ home wild-card playoff game against Pittsburgh from Sunday to Monday.

“It’s going to be slow, there’s no doubt about it,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, adding that the heaviest snow is expected to be over by kickoff.

Meanwhile, the team prepared to play in any conditions.

“We’re trying to stay on top of things,” coach Sean McDermott said Friday.

The Bills are 9-2, their best start since 1992, and a win on Sunday would clinch their fifth straight AFC East title.

Lake effect snow also blanketed parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which is expected to last through the weekend. The area was covered in snow on Friday afternoon, with more than 0.3 meters of snow in some places.

“We have this westerly, northwesterly flow regime and this cool air mass over the UP,” said Chapman of the National Weather Service. “So it’s pretty good preparation for this long-lasting lake-effect snowfall event.”

Gusty winds, particularly near the Great Lakes, have reduced visibility in Michigan and Chapman is urging caution on the roads.

Joe DeLizio, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said visibility on the roads was poor but he had not been informed of any major accidents.

“I haven’t heard much about any problems, but traveling is obviously pretty difficult,” DeLizio said.

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AP Sports Writer John Wawrow wrote from Orchard Park, New York. Isabella Volmert was from Lansing, Michigan and Joey Cappelletti was from Sawyer, Michigan.