A wave of extreme wind will move into the Western New York region to kickoff the weekend Friday, with a High Wind Warning posted for the Niagara Frontier and gusts of 55 to 60 mph in the forecast.
The highest wind gusts will be mainly through Friday afternoon for most of the region, with the strongest winds expected along the Lake Erie shoreline.
"We're in a bit of a roller coaster these days, with snow and rain, and then warmer temperatures and colder temperatures," National Weather Service meteorologist Heather Kenyon tells WBEN. "That's going to continue."
An area of widespread snow will overspread the region Friday. "We're not looking for much accumulation," Kenyon says. "It might actually mix with some rain...with highs in the 40's."
The strong winds resulting from a cold front system will deliver more colder air for the weekend.
"We are expecting accumulating snow tonight, mainly across the higher terrain, where we could see 4 to 7 inches," Kenyon cautions. "Again, mainly on the higher terrain, southern Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties."
A Winter Storm Warning is posted for southern Erie, Cattaraugus and Wyoming counties through 11 a.m. Saturday. A Winter Weather Advisory is posted for Allegany and Chautauquq counties.
The metro Buffalo area is not in the clear as far as snow accumulation is concerned, Kenyon warns. "Tonight, it looks like we could pick up around 1 to 3 inches across the metro, City of Buffalo."
HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 5 AM EDT SATURDAY
* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.
* WHERE...The Niagara Frontier.
* WHEN...From noon today to 5 AM EDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Strong winds will blow down trees and power lines.
Scattered power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 11 AM EDT SATURDAY
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 6 to 10 inches. Winds gusting 50 to 60 mph will produce areas of blowing snow.
* WHERE...Wyoming, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie Counties. The highest snowfall amounts are expected across Wyoming County.
* WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM EDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. Strong winds will cause scattered instances of tree damage and power outages.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The highest snowfall amounts are expected across the ridgetops of Wyoming County, with slightly lower snowfall totals across the surrounding hilltops in Southern Erie and northern Cattaraugus counties. Significantly lower accumulations of 2 to 4 inches expected at the lower elevations of Southern Erie County, including the Buffalo Southtowns, and across southern Cattaraugus County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Widespread accumulating snow will create dangerous travel conditions, particularly at the higher elevations.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 AM EDT SATURDAY
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations 3 to 6 inches.
Winds gusting as high as 60 mph will produce patchy blowing snow.
* WHERE...Chautauqua County.
* WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 8 AM EDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult. Strong winds with blowing snow will limit visibilities at times and cause instances of tree damage and power outages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Periods of snow will result in snow covered roads and limited visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 11 AM EDT SATURDAY
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations 4 to 7 inches across the northwestern portion of the county. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
* WHERE...Allegany County.
* WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM EDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday evening commute. 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.