A major lake effect snowstorm brought record amounts of snow to the Great Lakes region, particularly to areas downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario. The storm caused several road closures, including Interstates 90 and 86, as well as power outages, school and business closures and other travel delays.

Some areas of New York state received about 1.5 feet of snow last week, while parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan received 3 feet or more. Erie, Pennsylvania, experienced its snowiest day on record Friday with 22.6 inches of snow, surpassing its previous record of 21.8 inches set in 2017.

The coldest air of the season will continue to move south across the Midwest, Ohio Valley and Northeast through the first week of December, according to AccuWeather.

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How weather patterns bring lake-effect snow to the Great Lakes region

Large-scale weather and climate patterns, controlled in part by the jet stream, play an important role in the storms and cold outbreaks that shape winter weather in the Great Lakes.

More:How much snow did Erie Pa get? Massive storm hits region

How lake effect snow is created

Lake effect snow, which can last from just a few minutes to several days, arises from narrow bands of clouds that form when cold, dry Arctic air flows over a large, relatively mild lake.