Meanwhile, a swath of the Central and Eastern U.S. was under winter weather advisory, which the NWS issues "for any amount of freezing rain, or when 2 to 4 inches of snow (alone or in combination with sleet and freezing rain), is expected to cause a significant inconvenience, but not serious enough to warrant a warning."

On Wednesday at 2:48 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning valid from Thursday 4 p.m. until Friday 10 a.m. for Central and Eastern Lake County.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory at 3:14 p.m. EST on Wednesday valid from Thursday 1 p.m. EST until Friday 7 a.m. EST for Alger, Luce and Schoolcraft counties.

Punxsutawney Phil made his annual prediction in Pennsylvania, and the groundhog saw a shadow, meaning the United States is set for six more weeks of winter.

On Thursday at 12:55 a.m. a winter weather advisory was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Thursday between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m. for Cayuga County.