A major nor'easter storm that stands to potentially cripple coastal cities like New York City and Boston will only graze the Western New York region, reminding us it's still winter with a dusting or so of snow.
Only minor accumulations are forecast for the Buffalo metro area, with more measurable but manageable snowfall expected across the higher terrain of the southern tier.
"Anywhere between 2 and 4 inches of snow for the Wyoming hills, and even areas south and east in the Boston Hills," NWS meteorologist Dave Thomas tells WBEN. "That's where we're expecting the greatest snowfall for today and into the evening hours."
More light snowfall is expected Sunday night into Monday, with heavier lake-enhanced accumulations across the Chautauqua Ridge region, where a Winter Storm Watch is posted.
More light snow is in the forecast to kick off the work week Monday.
A weather system moving into the region late in the week will largely dictate how much of a warmup and overall rain or snow we see across the eastern Great Lakes region, NWS forecasters say. The advertised warm-up is becoming shorter and shorter with one day in the Long Term (Saturday) in the 40s. The pattern suggests temperatures falling back to near or below normal into next week.
WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT
* WHAT...Heavy lake enhanced snow possible. Potential for 7 inches or more of accumulation.
* WHERE...Chautauqua County. Greatest snow accumulation will be found upon the Chautauqua Ridge axis.
* WHEN...From this evening through late Monday night.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Light snow today and this early evening across the county, transitioning to heavy snow tonight through Monday night, with the focus upon the upslope Chautauqua Ridge axis for greatest accumulations.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Narrow bands of heavy snow could bring rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities. Localized travel problems will be possible.