After a long week of winter weather impacted millions of Americans with harsh temperatures and snow, another system was set to brush the Northeast's big cities with a few inches of snow, while parts of western New York were receiving far more from a lake-effect event.

According to National Weather Service reports, 9.5 inches of snow had fallen just north of Buffalo by 7:30 a.m. Friday morning. More than a foot of snow fell near Kenmore, according to NWS reports.

Lake-effect snow bands usually affect narrow areas of land just east or west of the lake, but can move north or south in a hurry.

"Particularly unnerving about lake-effect snow is how quickly conditions deteriorate, not simply surprising motorists unaware of the storm, but also those in any location as the band shifts," said weather.com meteorologist .

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As a safety precaution, sections of the New York Thruway, Interstate 190 and other highways in the Buffalo area were closed. The Thruway closure affected 132 miles of that road in western New York, according to The Associated Press. A stretch of the Thruway reopened at 1:30 p.m. to essential travel between Rochester and Buffalo. Near the Pennsylvania border, a 15-mile stretch of I-90 was closed at midnight Thursday.

The clipper was also expected to hinder the morning commute in several major cities along the East Coast. Snow fell on Times Square in New York City Friday morning, where accumulating snow was in the forecast.

"New York's Central Park may pick up as much snow in a couple hours Friday morning as they've had all season, to date (1.7 inches)," said Erdman.

New York's LaGuardia Airport was seeing some of the worst air-travel issues in the area Friday morning, with more than 30 flights canceled and several more delayed. By Friday night, the airport experienced 298 delays and 126 cancelations, according to FlightAware.

"You don't need heavy snow accumulations for significant impact," added Erdman. "A quick 1 to 2 inches of snow in just a couple of hours over a large metro area can snarl traffic and lead to major flight delays at major airport hubs."

Police are investigating the death of a man after his frozen body was discovered Thursday in a business on Buffalo's east side. They are working to see whether or not he died from the frigid weather conditions, the Associated Press said.

Massachusetts was also affected by the snowy system, which was expected to reach Boston by mid-morning. According to Boston.com, the Friday commute in Boston is usually lighter, but "it only takes a small amount to slow down drivers and create accidents ."

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie morning to warn motorists that the weather conditions would make roads hazardous in the Garden State, and drivers should exercise caution. A swath of snow stretched from northeastern New Jersey down to southwestern parts of the state Friday morning as the clipper hurried toward the Atlantic Ocean.

In Connecticut, on state roads during Rush Hour. Bradley International Airport by mid-morning Friday, according to FlightAware.com.

Friday in Connecticut due to winter weather, according to NBC Connecticut.

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