The Bill’s Highmark Stadium is caked in snow just a day before their Sunday night showdown against the San Francisco 49ers.
Temperatures had already fallen below freezing by Saturday afternoon, with up to 4ft of snow expected before Sunday’s NFL clash.
But Buffalo was already painted white a day earlier as the weather turned brutal in Western New York.
Footage and pictures from Orchard Park showed the area around Highmark Stadium covered in snow, with visibility very limited and cars battling slushy roads.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, the Bills put a call out for volunteers to help clear the stadium in anticipation of the winter snow. ‘The rate of pay will be $20 per hour with food and hot beverages provided,’ the team said.
It is not the first time that snow has threatened to disrupt the NFL this season – the Browns’ recent win over the Steelers took place on a grim Monday night in Cleveland.
The Bill’s Highmark Stadium is caked in snow ahead of Sunday night’s game against the 49ers
Up to 4ft of snow is expected to fall before Sunday’s clash against San Francisco in Orchard Park
The Bills have put a call out for volunteers to help clear the stadium amid the brutal conditions
But, with the Bills facing the 49ers at 8.20pm on Sunday evening, the weather has led to a state of emergency being declared in parts of New York.
A ‘major disaster’ has been declared in Pennsylvania, with officials warning Thanksgiving travelers of dangerous conditions as they head home.
‘Travel will be extremely difficult and hazardous this weekend, especially in areas where multiple feet of snow may accumulate very quickly,’ the National Weather Service said.
By Saturday lunchtime, nearly 2ft of snow has already fallen in parts of New York, Ohio and Michigan.
Come kickoff on Sunday, forecasters expect below-freezing temperatures of around 30 degrees.
‘Forecasts have favored a steady increase in the total snowfall expectations for areas near the Buffalo Bills stadium,’ the NY State Weather Risk Communication Center said.
‘At this time the heaviest snow is expected Saturday afternoon into Sunday, with snow shifting south before the game. Travel may be hazardous, so be weather aware!’
