CNN
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Freezing Arctic air gripped much of the eastern United States on Saturday, while lake-driven snow threatened to “paralyze” some areas and disrupt post-holiday travel in parts of the Great Lakes region, meteorologists said.

According to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, a freezing air mass sweeping south across the Northern Plains and Midwest into the South and East Coasts is expected to last into next week, bringing the coldest temperatures since last winter brings with it.

Temperatures are expected to drop 15 to 25 degrees across much of the eastern U.S., from Minnesota to Texas, as chilly air flowing over the record-warm Great Lakes triggers the season’s first major lake-effect snow event.

“There will be local areas that will be paralyzed by the lake snow and some highways will also be severely affected,” the National Weather Service in New York said.

Winter weather warnings were in effect for nearly 16 million people Saturday, with widespread snow totals of between 6 and 12 inches expected in parts of Michigan, western New York, northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio. 4 to 6 feet is expected in some areas downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario. Residents across the Ohio River Valley from Kansas City to Charleston, West Virginia, will receive 2 to 5 inches by Sunday morning.

The heavy snowfall has already prompted authorities to close portions of several major highways in New York and Pennsylvania, including sections of Interstate 90.

A driver in Erie, Pennsylvania, told CNN he saw state police rescuing motorists trapped in snowdrifts.

This weekend’s high temperatures will feel more like mid-to-late January in Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Nashville and Tallahassee. Nearly 70% of the U.S. population is expected to experience below-freezing temperatures over the next few days.

Particularly cold conditions are expected Saturday morning across the northern Plains and upper Midwest, with wind chills well below zero. According to the Weather Prediction Center, this could increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

“Wind chills will be below minus 15 degrees across much of the Dakotas and Minnesota, with temperatures reaching minus 30 to 40 degrees in parts of North Dakota,” the center said.

Michigan, New York and other parts of the Great Lakes region remain on alert as lake-driven snow continues to result in near-whiteout conditions, causing dangerous traffic delays in some areas since Friday.

Skiers have reason to celebrate as Western New York ski resorts will soon receive their first major snowfall of the season. Holiday Valley Ski Resort in Ellicottville, about 50 miles south of Buffalo, is preparing to open the season next Thursday as heavy snowfall is expected in the coming days, the resort announced.

Forecasters say residents in Watertown, near Lake Ontario in Western New York, could dig up to 70 inches (nearly 6 feet) of snow through Monday.

Jefferson County, where Watertown is located, is one of several areas where Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday due to the threat of lake snow. It declared a state of emergency for 11 counties in western and central New York, including the Buffalo area and many areas near Lakes Erie and Ontario.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued a disaster declaration for Erie County on Saturday after heavy snow blanketed the region, closing major highways and stranding motorists.

Northeast Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania also must prepare for significant impacts from persistent, heavy snowfall.

“Accumulations will be measured in feet in the hardest hit areas, with windy conditions also causing snow drifts. Travel will be difficult to impossible,” the Weather Prediction Center warned.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Orchard Park, New York, with game time expected to be around 26 degrees.

Erie County officials expect the heaviest snow will no longer fall over Highmark Stadium by game time, they announced Friday.

“However, in the most likely scenarios, it is possible that 20 to 30 inches of snow will have fallen at the football stadium by game time,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said at a news conference Friday.

Before Sunday’s game, the Bills asked fans in a post to X to help shovel snow at the outdoor stadium.

While the heavy snowfall could cause concern for travelers, Poloncarz said the game is unlikely to be postponed.

“The game will go on,” he said.