Cleanup efforts in the Great Lakes region are wrapping up after a series of lake-effect snowstorms that dropped over a foot of snow this past weekend. However, there is still a possibility of more snow later this week, as forecasters are tracking another storm system that could bring a few extra inches to the area.
As a result of the heavy snowfall, many school districts in western Pennsylvania remained closed on Tuesday. The snowstorms impacted not just Pennsylvania, but also regions of western New York, Ohio, and Michigan. Areas east of Lake Ontario experienced over five feet of snowfall in the last five days, according to the National Weather Service.
Officials reported that crews have made significant progress in keeping the roads clear, and most travel restrictions were lifted by Tuesday morning. However, drivers are still encouraged to exercise caution and drive slowly as conditions can be slippery. A winter storm watch is currently in effect for parts of western Pennsylvania, with expectations of 3 to 9 inches of snow from late Wednesday through Thursday morning.
Sadly, the recent heavy snowfall has also led to tragic accidents across the region. On Monday morning, three individuals lost their lives in a collision in Iowa after a driver attempted to pass a snowplow and crossed into oncoming traffic. The accident occurred just before 9 a.m. on Highway 1, south of Kalona. The crash involved a Buick and a Nissan, resulting in fatalities for both drivers and one passenger in the Nissan. Another person sustained injuries and was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, though further details on their condition have not been released.
