US Midwest experiences first touch of winter
Parts of Midwest USA experienced their first flurry of snow this season on Tuesday, blanketing a number of towns surrounding Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes. The snow was generated by a low pressure system centred over north eastern parts of America, producing the first winter storm of the season in western New York and Pennsylvania.
Just over 20cm (8 inches) of snow was recorded in the 12 hours on Tuesday in the north western town of Waterford, covering roads, and causing hundreds of traffic accidents. Numerous power lines were knocked down by the storm, leaving 15,000 New York residents without electivity. Residents in the city of Buffalo, where temperatures remained above freezing, were spared the snow, but instead were pelted by wind blown sleet which arrived throughout the day, amid thunder and lightning.
As the winds continue to fuel bands of snow over the Great Lakes, snow warnings and advisories remain in effect downwind of Lake Erie. However with a high pressure system now residing over north eastern states of America, forecasters expect a return to more settled weather.
