Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "This could prove to be a very impactful weekend storm." Those are the words of the forecasters at the National Weather Service as they look ahead to the potential for a winter storm that could arrive in the middle of the upcoming holiday weekend.
"The weekend storm may bring the most substantial wintry precipitation of the season so far for parts of the Northeast", says AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Eric Leister.
The storm system will make its way across the upper Midwest and arrive across the Buffalo and Western New York region during the daytime Saturday. Accumulating snow is likely along with gusty winds that will lead to blowing, drifting and difficult travel conditions at times.
AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Anderson says, "The heaviest snow looks like it’s going to be tracking across much of upstate New York….right now we’re looking at a general 6 to 12 inches of snow." As for the duration of the snow event, Anderson adds, I think there's a three to four hour period that the snow’s going to come down very hard, travel conditions very slippery and very poor visibility during the day on Saturday."
After the snow on Saturday, the Buffalo area is not out of the woods according to forecasters. A period of lake-effect snow and snow squalls is likely to follow the storm on Sunday across northern and western New York. AccuWeather meteorologist Evan Myers cautions there will likely still be poor travel conditions Sunday. "The New York Thruway east and west from Buffalo to Albany…still some more problems on Sunday lingering", Myers adds.
It's remarkable that we're looking forward to the first potential serious snow storm in Buffalo as late as mid-January, but it won't take long for you to remember it's winter in Western New York when the temperatures plummet next week.
"Get ready for a cold week next week", says Anderson.
Stay tuned!
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 6 PM EST THURSDAY
WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
WHERE...Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie counties.
WHEN...From 1 AM to 6 PM EST Thursday.