Chicago, Illinois – Arctic air gripped much of the eastern United States on Saturday, causing bone-chilling temperatures and threatening post-holiday travel in the Great Lakes region. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center predicted that a frigid air mass moving southward from the northern Plains into the East Coast would bring the coldest temperatures since last winter, persisting into the following week.

The eastern US is anticipated to experience a significant drop in temperatures, ranging from Minnesota to Texas, with temperatures expected to decrease by 15 to 25 degrees. This cold snap is attributed to chilly air moving over the unusually warm Great Lakes, triggering the season’s first major lake-effect snow event.

Alerts for winter weather have been issued for nearly 10 million people, with snow accumulations expected between 6 to 12 inches in many areas. In some regions, accumulations of up to 4 to 6 feet are possible, causing potentially dangerous conditions and traffic disruptions.

Cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Nashville, and Tallahassee are forecasted to experience temperatures resembling mid-to-late January, with nearly 70% of the US population expected to face below-freezing temperatures in the coming days. The northern Plains and Upper Midwest are expected to see especially frigid conditions, with wind chills dropping well below zero.

States like Michigan, New York, and parts of the Great Lakes region are on high alert as lake-effect snow continues to create near-whiteout conditions, leading to treacherous travel situations and traffic delays. Western New York’s ski resorts are bracing for their first major snowfall of the season, with Holiday Valley Ski Resort preparing to open for the season amid heavy snowfall predictions.

Residents in Watertown, located near Lake Ontario in western New York, might face significant snowfall with forecasts predicting up to 70 inches by Monday. Northeastern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania are also preparing for prolonged heavy snowfall, with accumulations expected to measure in feet in the hardest-hit areas.

The heavy snow has resulted in the closure of parts of major highways in New York and Pennsylvania, including segments of Interstate 90. Additionally, officials are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of residents, with Erie County in New York declaring a state of emergency due to the threat of intense lake-effect snow.

In Erie, Pennsylvania, state police have been conducting rescue operations to assist motorists trapped in snowdrifts. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the Buffalo Bills are scheduled to play against the San Francisco 49ers in Orchard Park, New York, on Sunday, with temperatures expected to be around 26 degrees.

Erie County officials are hopeful that the heaviest snowfall will have subsided by game time, although significant snow accumulation is still expected. Despite concerns about travel disruptions, officials have confirmed that the football game is unlikely to be postponed due to the weather.