Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A narrow band of heavy lake effect snow targeted the Buffalo southtowns overnight and was making a northward trek for the City of Buffalo and populated suburbs through the morning commute.
CHECK: WBEN Closings!
Route 219 is closed in both directions from the NYS Thruway to Peters Road.
West Seneca, still digging out from a punishing weekend lake effect snow band, was hit hardest overnight. "We actually had one of our employees here who called from West Seneca," National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Mitchell told WBEN. "They actually received 26 inches, and that fell in a 5 or 6 hour period."
Mitchell expects the lake effect snow band to be squarely over the Buffalo metro area through the morning commute. "We're looking at probably anywhere between a foot and a foot and a half localized amounts in the Buffalo metro area this morning through this afternoon."
The snow band will oscillate somewhat, Mitchell tells us. "It will oscillate to the north a bit, probably hit North Buffalo and the northtowns as we go into this afternoon. And the intensity should come down a bit."
The snow should begin to drift southward across the Buffalo metro late Wednesday and be a large concern for the evening commute. The hardest hit areas early Wednesday will again be hit late in the day Wednesday, Mitchell notes. The band will eventually go south and dissipate Thursday.
A Lake Effect Snow Warning is posted for Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties through Thursday with Accumulations in excess of foot possible across the entire time period.
A Winter Weather Advisory is posted for Niagara County through Wednesday evening.
LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THURSDAY
* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet in the most persistent lake snows. Storm totals could locally exceed 4 feet. The lake band will move north into the city of Buffalo early this morning. The band will meander northward into the Northtowns through this morning. The band will begin to move southward late afternoon, moving south of Buffalo tonight into Thursday morning, before shifting back north across the Buffalo metro area Thursday afternoon as it weakens and impacts areas closer the Lake Erie shore. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will result in blowing and drifting snow, with near white-out conditions at times, especially this afternoon and evening.
* WHERE...Erie, Genesee, and Wyoming counties.
* WHEN...Until 7 PM EST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Bitter wind chills as low as 10 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING
* WHAT...Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will result in blowing snow and poor visibility at times.
* WHERE...Niagara county, far southern portions of the county.
* WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 7 PM EST this evening.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.