Over 4 million people in five states remain under winter storm alerts as lake-effect snow continues to blanket the Great Lakes region.

Western New York, including Buffalo, is especially hard-hit, with over 40 inches of snow already and up to 2 more feet expected by Monday.

Emergency declarations are in place, and National Guard troops have been deployed in New York and Pennsylvania to assist with rescues and road clearing, ABC News has reported.

Heavy snow has also disrupted travel, with advisories issued across affected areas, and extreme cold persists across the region.

Written by B.C. Begley