For areas that had not yet seen a covering of snow yet this season, that all changed overnight into Wednesday with a burst of snow that covered areas across metro Buffalo and the northtowns.
There is more on the way Wednesday night and Thursday, along with very cold and windy conditions, as well as poor visibility from blowing snow.
A Winter Weather Advisory is posted for metro Buffalo, northern Erie, Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties from Wednesday evening through early Friday, with accumulations of 3 to 7 inches forecast for the time period.
A Lake Effect Snow Warning is posted for southern Erie County as well as the southern tier late Wednesday through early Friday with 6 to 12 inches forecast for the time period.
The quick burst of snow fell overnight early Wednesday across the metro area, National Weather Service meteorologist John Hitchcock tells WBEN. “So the northtowns picked up a quick couple inches a few hours ago, the first real snow of the year in places like Tonawanda, Amherst and Niagara County.
Only some additional light snow is expected through the day Wednesday, not adding up to much, Hitchcock assures us.
But then?
A general snow with lake effect snow embedded within it will begin to overspread the region late Wednesday. “The snow will begin to increase in coverage again late this afternoon and this evening,and continue on and off through tonight, tomorrow and tomorrow night” Hitchcock says. The snow will not be continuous, but will come in waves.
“The higher snow amounts will be south of Buffalo across the higher terrain, where there might be 8 to 12 inches in the hills, maybe even more than that in the Chautauqua Ridge. From Buffalo northward, we’re looking at 3 to 6 inches, with most of the falling tonight through early tomorrow,” Hitchcock says.
For the City of Buffalo, Hitchcock says the worst conditions will come after the Wednesday afternoon commute.
Photo credit NOAA Buffalo
Wind will be a factor with this advancing weather system with gusts over 40 mph.
“Lots of blowing and drifting snow with this one,” Hitchcock warns.
“Even though the snow amounts won;t be that high from this one from Buffalo northward, there’ll still be very poor visibility through the day tomorrow and tomorrow night.”
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST FRIDAY
* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations 3 to 7 inches.
Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will produce considerable blowing and drifting snow.
* WHERE…Niagara, Orleans, Northern Erie, and Genesee Counties.
* WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to 4 AM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS…Travel will be difficult. Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds will down tree branches and cause isolated power outages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Periods of snow will result in snow covered roads and limited visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.
LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST FRIDAY
* WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations 6 to 12 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph, producing considerable blowing and drifting snow.
* WHERE…Wyoming and Southern Erie Counties. Greatest accumulations across the higher terrain of the Boston Hills and western Wyoming County.
* WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to 4 AM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS…Travel will be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the morning and evening commutes on Thursday. Gusty winds will down tree branches and cause isolated power outages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.
Submit snow reports through our website or social media.
During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions.
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