Snow Set to Sweep the Great Lakes After Anchorage’s Early-Season Burst

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

Snow

Snow is back in the headlines on both ends of the map. Anchorage just logged its first major snowfall of the season with a daily record on Thursday night into Friday, while a fresh blast of Arctic air is primed to kick-start lake-effect snow bands across the Great Lakes late Sunday into Monday. For millions from Chicago and northwest Indiana to western New York and northern New England, the next 48–72 hours bring the season’s first meaningful shots of wintry weather.

Where snow is most likely in the next 72 hours

Great Lakes:

Lake Michigan shore (IL/IN/MI): A wintry mix Sunday transitions to lake-effect snow Sunday night–Monday. Localized bands could drop several inches where they persist, especially along and just inland from the lake.
Eastern Great Lakes (MI/PA/NY): Classic northwest flow sets up Monday into Tuesday. Corridor from Erie to Buffalo is favored for bursts of heavier snow with rapid visibility drops.
Upper Midwest/Northern Plains: Colder air spreads east; lighter, more scattered snow showers develop, with slick spots possible on untreated roads.

Northeast:

Northern New England high terrain: First flakes of the season are possible, mainly on the peaks and passes. Accumulation threats increase with elevation.

Alaska (Southcentral):

Anchorage has already seen its first significant dump of snow, snarling commutes and forcing a full reset to winter operations citywide. Road and transit adjustments continue as crews push to widen lanes and clear side streets.

Why the setup favors lake-effect snow

A cold, dry airmass spilling southeast from Canada will pass over the comparatively warm waters of the Great Lakes. That lake–air temperature contrast fuels vigorous vertical motion, generating narrow but intense snow bands. Wind direction matters: a west–northwest flow tends to aim bands into familiar snow belts on the downwind shores. Within these corridors, snowfall can vary street to street; five miles can be the difference between flurries and shovel-worthy totals.

Timing (ET):

Sunday afternoon–evening: Wintry mix west of Lake Michigan, changing to snow after sunset.
Late Sunday night–Monday: Heaviest lake-effect potential for Chicagoland’s southeast suburbs, northwest Indiana, and the Michigan shoreline; lighter, scattered snow showers elsewhere.
Monday–Tuesday: Focus shifts east to Lakes Erie and Ontario with bands pulsing into northwest Pennsylvania and western New York.

Travel and power impacts: what to expect

Roads: Quick transitions from wet to icy are likely near heavier bands. Expect rapidly changing visibility and slick bridges/overpasses overnight.
Airports: Short-lived but intense bands can prompt de-icing delays and occasional ground stops, particularly in Chicago and Buffalo when bands park over the field.
Power: Early-season, marginal-temperature snow can be pasty; where bands coincide with gusty winds, minor tree-limb issues are possible.

Preparation checklist (fast, practical)

Top off washer fluid; swap to winter blades if you haven’t.
Keep an ice scraper, blanket, and small shovel in the car.
For lake-effect zones, plan alternate routes to avoid long stretches of lake-parallel highways during banding.
If you manage crews or deliveries, front-load critical travel for the morning and reassess after bands establish.

Snow by the numbers: early-season context

Anchorage: The city’s first major snowfall arrived earlier this weekend, setting a daily benchmark and kick-starting winter maintenance across the metro.
Great Lakes: Early November lake-effect episodes are typical once the first robust Arctic fronts arrive. Totals are highly localized; a broad 1–3 inches is common in light bands, while persistent bands can stack 4–8 inches or more over favored belts by Monday evening.

What could change—and what won’t

Band placement is the wild card. A 10–20° swing in wind direction can shift the heaviest snow dozens of miles. Nowcasting—tracking radar and spotter reports in real time—will outperform broad forecasts once bands get going.

Confidence is high on colder air and lake response. Even if the heaviest bands wobble, scattered snow showers and noticeably colder temperatures will settle in to start the workweek.

Looking ahead: the week’s pattern

Behind the initial punch, temperatures stay seasonable to cold through midweek, keeping residual lake-effect flurries in play east of the lakes. Another clipper later in the week could refresh the chill and deliver light, broader snow chances across the Upper Midwest and interior Northeast.

After Anchorage’s head start, snow takes center stage in the Lower 48 as lake-effect bands organize late Sunday into Monday. If you live in traditional snow belts along Lakes Michigan, Erie, or Ontario, treat the next 36 hours as your winter dress rehearsal—first flakes, first slick commute, and a reminder that highly local bursts can hit harder than their modest regional forecasts suggest.