Lake Effect Snow Impacts Eastern Half of the Country

A resident begins to dig out after a five mile wide band of lake effect snow dumped more than two feet of snow and closed a 16-mile stretch of the New York State Thruway December 2, in Buffalo, New York. (John Normile/Getty Images )

Lake effect snow advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for several parts of the U.S. The warnings were issued for areas from the Midwest to Florida.

The warnings are in effect from Sunday through Tuesday in some regions.

The lake effect snow and lower temperatures are being driven by a northwesterly wind flow centered around low pressure in eastern Canada that will make temperatures feel even lower, according to The Weather Channel.

A lake effect from snow means that forecast snowfall will make travel difficult or extremely difficult in some cases. Lake effect snow showers will typically align themselves in bands, according to the NWS. The intensity of snowfall can also mean several inches of snowfall in localized areas, as much as one to several inches per hour.

Lake effect snowfall can also cause roads to become slippery, with poor driving visibility caused by drifting or blowing snow. It can also cause visibility to drop to zero within minutes, and varies greatly by area.

Temperatures are expected to drop to the single digits to middle teens in some areas, with wind gusts of up to 40 mph as long as the warning is in effect.

People in areas affected by the lake effect snow warnings are being urged by the NWS to travel with an extra flashlight, food, and water.