Buffalo. N.Y. (WBEN) - Another dramatic shift in the weather for Western New York is in the forecast as an arctic air mass is expected to deliver much colder air, win, and the setup for potential long-term lake effect snow across the region.
A Winter Storm Warning has been posted for ALL of WNY Sunday evening through Wednesday.
"We're expecting lake effect snow bands to develop Sunday, Sunday night, and continue as they oscillate through Western New York early next week," National Weather Service meteorologist Heather Kenyon tells WBEN. "With the snow bands, we're expecting frigid cold temperatures and gusty winds."
Blowing and drifting snow will be a potentially significant issue during the period in spots where the lake effect sets up.
Heads up for the Buffalo-Niagara region, at least for the start of this lake effect event.
"Initially, we're expecting the snow bands to develop across the Niagara Frontier northearst of Lake Erie, then settle south, mainly south of the Buffalo metro, early next week," Kenyon says.
There is still some uncertainty how long the snow bands will remain in any one place. "Right now it looks like the potential for more than 7 inches in one spot is possible," Kenyon tells us.
"Right now the potential is for everywhere from Niagara County, to Orleans County, south to the southern tier," Kenyon says. "The bands might initially set up across the northtowns, then settle south, but then they might move back up Tuesday night into Wednesday."
Stay tuned to NewsRadio 930 WBEN for the latest forecast details and check back here for the latest on-demand.
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 4 PM EST WEDNESDAY
* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations 10 to 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph creating blowing and drifting snow and at times white out conditions.
* WHERE...Niagara, Orleans, Northern Erie, and Genesee Counties.
Greatest snow accumulation will be found across southern Niagara, southwestern Orleans, northern Erie and western Genesee counties.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Sunday to 4 PM EST Wednesday. Significant snow accumulation will occur Sunday night through Monday, and again Tuesday into Tuesday night.
* IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel will be very difficult in deep snow covered roads. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning through the Wednesday morning commutes. Gusty winds will down tree branches and cause isolated power outages.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect snowband oscillate with varying intensities and snowfall amounts over the area. Snowfall rates 2 inches per hour Sunday night through Monday, and again Tuesday through Tuesday evening. Wind chill values zero to 10 below zero Monday night through Tuesday night.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Widespread accumulating snow will create dangerous travel conditions.
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM MONDAY TO 4 PM EST WEDNESDAY
* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations 10 to 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph creating blowing and drifting snow and at times white out conditions.
* WHERE...Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie Counties. Greatest snow accumulation across the northern Chautauqua Ridge, Boston Hills and Buffalo Southtowns.
* WHEN...From 7 AM Monday to 4 PM EST Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel will be very difficult in deep snow covered roads. Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday evening through the Wednesday morning commutes.
Gusty winds will down tree branches and cause isolated power outages.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect lake snowband to oscillate with varying intensities and snowfall amounts over the area. Snowfall rates 2 inches per hour Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning.
Wind chill values five to 15 below zero Monday night through Tuesday night.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Widespread accumulating snow will create dangerous travel conditions.