Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - We're trading t-shirts for hoodies in Western New York as unseasonably balmy conditions have been replaced with much colder temperatures across the northeast.
As the impact of Nicole exits the region, colder air is taking hold and will usher in some snow showers and even accumulating snow over portions of the higher terrain south of Buffalo into Sunday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is posted for Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties late Saturday through Sunday.
"Up to this point, much of the East has experienced brief bursts of chilly air that have lasted two to maybe four days, but the pattern unfolding starting this weekend will be the longest stretches of below-normal temperatures so far this season," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said. "Essentially, once the cold air moves in, it sticks around this time."
The colder air will trigger some accumulating lake effect snow through Sunday for the southern tier with some generalized snow showers and mixed precipitation possible across the region as well.
"The most likely time for snow showers that could accumulate this weekend is late Saturday night and Sunday morning from northeastern Ohio to northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York," AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist Brian Wimer said. "This accumulation potential then shifts to New York's Tug Hill Plateau and Adirondacks on Sunday night."
Any lake effect snow will taper later Sunday, but colder temperatures will hold on into the work week with highs in the upper 30's the lower 40's and overnight lows dipping below freezing.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS EVENING
* WHAT...Lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches in the most persistent lake snows. The greatest accumulations will be found inland from the lake across the higher elevations.
* WHERE...Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.
* WHEN...Until 6 PM EST this evening.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.
