As promised since last week, the heaviest lake-effect snow event of the season so far is under way from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast.

In the heaviest bands of snow, several inches can accumulate per hour. Gusty winds accompanying these wintertime showers can lead to local white-out conditions.

Portions of northern Michigan have already received over a foot of snow. These and other areas downwind of the Great Lakes can easily receive 2 feet of snow from the event.

Heavy lake-effect snow bands set up downwind of Lake Superior over Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and vicinity with a northwest wind on Sunday. These same areas will continue to get hit today. Winchester, Wis., has received 5.0 inches so far with 8.0 inches in Presque Isle. Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., has received 7.8 inches.

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Reports on the Ground from the First Big Lake-Effect Snow of the Season

Locally heavy snow well under way along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan from northwestern Indiana to the northern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan today. As of 8:00 a.m. CST Monday, Barrien Springs, Mich., has received 4.5 inches with 5.5 inches in Kalamazoo, 8.2 inches near Gaylord and 13.0 inches in Elmira. In Indiana, 5.0 inches has fallen around Elkhart with 4.0 inches in North Liberty.

Downwind areas of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario will pick up heavy accumulations into Tuesday. The lake effect is just getting started in these areas today.

For a larger version of this map, visit the AccuWeather.com Winter Weather Center.

Some of the heaviest snowfall during the lake-effect event will occur south of Buffalo, targeting northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York’s ski country. As of the midday hours today, Springboro, Pa., has received 9.8 inches so far with 4.0 inches falling near Erie. In western New York state, Jamestown has received 8.6 inches with 8.3 inches falling on Sherman.

Areas around Syracuse and Rochester, especially during tonight and Tuesday as the coldest air settles in, may also make up for lost time in the snowfall department this season as winds become more northwesterly.

New York’s Tug Hill Plateau is being hit hard today, thanks to a westerly flow off Lake Ontario. The heavy snow band should shift south of this area tonight.

Lake-effect snow was hitting Ohio as well on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Photo by AccuWeather.com Facebook fan Frankie S.

Locally, over a several-day period, a couple of feet of snow can fall in the “sweet spots” downwind of the Great Lakes.

The strong winds (most gusts between 30 and 50 mph) will greatly lower the visibility in the lake-effect snowbands. Substantial drifting will occur.

It is possible that short stretches of major highways could be closed for a brief time as the intensity of the bands of snow peaks. This includes portions of I-75, I-80, I-90 and I-196.

Brief bursts of blinding snow can occur, which may also lead to a rapid freezeup of roads and sidewalks. During the initial phase of the lake effect, road surface temperatures are warm. However, untreated wet areas will become icy.

Motorists who have been cushioned by the lack of cold and lake-effect snow thus far this winter should take this event seriously. It could be the most substantial event of the season and will be on par with average to major events of typical winters.

As snow showers swung through Chicago, Ill. and Dayton, Ohio this morning associated with a storm in the upper atmosphere, roads quickly became icy leading to multiple accidents.

With a disturbance swinging eastward and much colder air moving in aloft combined with the lake effect, flurries and snow showers will reach far down the spine of the Appalachians at times into Tuesday. Some will even break east of the mountains reaching all the way to the I-95 corridor and the beaches.

This is the big break many ski resorts, skiers, plowers and snowmobilers have been waiting for.

Most of the Great Lakes are free of ice and represent plenty of potential energy to be released as this cold air mass rolls along.

Snow events have been rare so far this season, and it appears the cold and the snow will again ease later in the week. It is recommended the “snow geese” take advantage of this winter weather while it lasts. Go out and play, but drive safely!