Governor Hochul has declared a State of Emergency for several counties in New York impacted by a severe lake effect snowstorm and arctic conditions. The storm has already led to travel bans across Western New York, with forecasts predicting up to 3 feet of snow in some areas. Bitter cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills accompany the heavy snowfall, causing significant disruptions, including school closures and hazardous travel conditions. Residents are urged to prepare for extreme cold and additional snowfall expected throughout the week.