Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - After one final pass over the Buffalo metro area overnight Sunday morning, lake effect snow has finally exited the area and settled well south into the southern tier where it will remain and weaken.
The end of the historic lake snow gives snow clearing crews and property owners a sense of relief as they continue the arduous task of removing up to 77 inches of snow that fell in parts of the Buffalo southtowns.
Blowing snow will be an issue Sunday as gusty winds will prevail, causing poor visibility at times along with drifting snow. A Winter Weather Advisory is now posted for most of the Western New York region, with the exception of the southern tier Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties where a Lake Effect Snow Warning remains.
The New York State Thruway has been fully reopened along with the Skyway and Route 5 complex along the Lake Erie shoreline. Routes 219 and 400 remain closed and are being assessed, however it is expected the closures will continue for a while longer.
Driving bans remain in place in the City of Buffalo south of William Street and in Orchard Park, Hamburg and Evans. A Travel Advisory remains for the rest of the county until further notice.
During the snow clearing effort, dozens of abandoned vehicles have been towed from roadways and taken to the Sears parking lot at McKinley Mall. A listing of vehicles is available here and they can be retrieved once any driving bans are lifted.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING
* WHAT...Blowing Snow. West winds gusting as high as 45 mph will create areas of blowing and drifting snow. Additional snow accumulation of an inch or two near the Lake Ontario shoreline.
* WHERE...Niagara, Orleans, Northern Erie, and Genesee counties, including near the lake shoreline and open north-south roads.
* WHEN...Until 7 PM EST this evening.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING
...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IS CANCELLED...
* WHAT...Blowing Snow. West winds gusting as high as 45 mph will create areas of blowing and drifting snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to 2 inches.
* WHERE...Southern Erie county, including near the shoreline and open north-south roads.
* WHEN...Until 7 PM EST this evening.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Areas of blowing snow will result in snow covered roads and limited visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING
* WHAT... Blowing Snow. West winds gusting as high as 40 mph will create areas of blowing and drifting snow. Additional snow accumulation of an inch.
* WHERE...Wyoming county, especially open north-south roads.
* WHEN...Until 7 PM EST this evening.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Areas of blowing snow will result in snow covered roads and limited visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.
LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST THIS EVENING
* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches in the most persistent lake snows. West winds gusting as high as 45 mph will create areas of blowing and drifting snow.
* WHERE...Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM EST this evening.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.
