Looks like you get the weather straight down from the Arctic down through the Prairies and then to you. We live in what they call The Golden Horse Shoe and our weather is sort of moderate but then we'll get lake effect snow as well. Buffalo NY really gets nailed with snow. One girl I worked with was from Buffalo and she said when there was a major storm heading their way they would grab their PJ's and go to the local bar and party hardy till the storm was over. Nobody was going anywhere anyways so make the best of it.