Join us today at 3:30 PM for a live discussion on Facebook, X, and YouTube about the upcoming lake snow event.
A Lake Effect Snow WARNING is in effect from 4 PM today to 1 PM Friday for Southern Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus Counties, and from 10 PM today to 1 PM Friday for Northern Erie and Genesee Counties.
A significant lake effect snow event is poised to begin later today and continue through Friday. Expect falling temperatures and a transition from rain to snow this evening. Areas in Western New York will experience lake effect snow beginning tonight and lasting until Friday, with strong wind gusts leading to white-out conditions and hazardous travel due to wind chills approaching zero degrees.
The snow band will develop south of Buffalo this evening, intensifying overnight and moving northward. By the early hours of Thursday, the snow band will be situated near the Buffalo area, stretching from the city to Buffalo Airport and down to Batavia. It will then shift south late Thursday morning, before maneuvering back northward in the afternoon and settling south again by Friday morning over the Southern Tier, gradually dissipating after that. Within the snow band, snowfall rates are expected to reach 2-3 inches per hour, and wind gusts could reach up to 45 miles per hour, leading to perilous travel conditions.
Forecast Overview:
– Wednesday Afternoon: Transition from rain to snow with temperatures in the mid-30s.
– Wednesday Evening: Lake snow developing south with temperatures in the mid-20s.
– Thursday Morning: Snow and blowing snow, temperature lows around 20°F.
– Thursday Afternoon: Continued snow and blowing snow with mid-20s temperatures.
– Friday Morning: Snow showers expected with temperatures in the teens.
– Friday Afternoon: Cloudy skies, high reaching mid-20s.
– Saturday: Mostly cloudy during the morning with teens, warming slightly to mid-30s by afternoon.
– Sunday: Scattered snow showers in the morning, transitioning to rain showers reaching near 40°F in the afternoon.
This winter weather event serves as a reminder to stay prepared and cautious while traveling. As we brace for another round of snow, let’s take the opportunity to come together in our community and support one another through these challenging conditions. Stay warm and safe!