An intense storm left over 5 feet on the ground

The Capital Region saw a couple inches of snow on Thanksgiving, but that was nothing compared what was a paralyzing storm that blanketed parts of New York with snow totals measuring several feet.  

The area hardest hit was Watertown, NY - near the Canadian border and just east of Lake Ontario. The lake effect storm produced a weather phenomena that included lightning, white out conditions and an estimated 5-6 feet of snow. 

WOW!!! I cannot believe the Watertown, NY live camera just clearly caught a cloud to ground lake-effect lightning bolt! ❄️⚡️ #nywx #thundersnow pic.twitter.com/r1rWHcidLX

— Kaitlyn Jesmonth (@wxkaitlynj) November 30, 2024

A time-lapse video from Sunday to Monday shows the amount of snow that had to be removed from this parking lot numerous times over the weekend. 

Multi day timelapse of the Lake Effect snow event in Watertown NY. Friday to Sunday afternoon. Watch how the snow really builds up near the end (today). #nywx #watertown #timelapse #snow pic.twitter.com/mGTNrjPeEE

— Dan Whittaker (@severeforecast) December 1, 2024

A driver with a dashcam recorded his journey to Watertown in conditions that neared zero visibility at times. 

Timelapse of my drive from La Fargeville to Watertown last night, some of the most intense conditions I’ve ever driven in. Near zero visibility at times. #Weather #Snow pic.twitter.com/duvbNB4PZl

— AJ 9 5 (@_AJ_95_) December 1, 2024

There's a car in there somewhere. 

Just a little bit of snow in Watertown, New York.

Can confirm that is someone’s car 😳@ctvottawa pic.twitter.com/V6mtM9oXrl

— Jack Richardson (@jackrichrdson) December 2, 2024

Many woke up to this view out their window. 

Just a little bit of snow today in Watertown. Image courtesy Sydney Havens. Wow! pic.twitter.com/yUb6eU92vp

— Eric Snitil (@EricSnitilWx) December 1, 2024

Some business owners took advantage of the weather to get creative