Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's all about the timing. And the timing was the issue as a widespread of heavy wet snow and mixed precipitation overspread the region late Monday, just in time for the afternoon commute.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo quickly expanded the Winter Weather Advisory to cover the metro Buffalo and northtowns areas, in addition to the southern tier where the advisories had initially been posted.
Meteorologists say the precipitation will be, "Mainly rain, initially transitioning to a mix with snow and sleet inland from Lake Erie later this afternoon and early Monday evening ... with it still appearing possible that enough surface-based cooling may occur to also bring the risk of some freezing rain and light to interior portions of the Southern Tier." That risk of freezing rain in the southern tier is the basis for the Winter Weather Advisory.
For those still hoping the problematic coating of ice from last week melts away, there will be help from Mother Nature this week with daytime highs well above freezing each day.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT
* WHAT...Snow. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
* WHERE...Niagara, Orleans, Northern Erie, and Genesee counties.
* WHEN...Until midnight EST tonight.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.
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 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST TUESDAY
* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches and ice accumulations of up to one eighth of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
* WHERE...Southern Erie and Wyoming counties and the western Southern Tier.
* WHEN...Until 6 AM EST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact this evenings commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will result in slippery roads and limited visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.
