Buffalo. N.Y. (WBEN) - It was only a matter of time before wintry conditions would return to the Buffalo-Niagara and Western New York region in mid-January.
Colder temperatures and a return to snow are in the forecast Wednesday, with a Winter Storm Warning now posted for ALL of Western New York, across the southern tier, and starting 4 p.m. for the Buffalo metro area and northern counties.
A strong cold front will result in some initial rain showers changing to snow throughout the day Wednesday.
"Accumulating snows overnight and into tomorrow," National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Reynolds tells WBEN. "A potential of 3 to 6 inches."
With the snow starting late in the day Wednesday across the metro Buffalo area, the afternoon commute is not expected to be a major issue.
"Tomorrow morning's commute will probably be pretty tricky," Reynolds notes. "The system will just be pulling through here, and it will also be turning quite cold behind it, so any untreated roadways might become slippery."
Accumulations will be heavier well to the south of Buffalo. "Once the colder air comes in here, we will have some lake effect," Reynolds cautions. "Typical places south of Buffalo, across the Chautauqua Ridge and ski country will probably receive a little bit more, up to 10 inches are possible across those areas."
In addition to the snow, the arctic airmass combined with a fresh northwesterly breeze will lead to wind chill values near or below zero Thursday and Thursday night.
Temperatures in the teens to near 20 are expected for Thursday afternoon and single digits to low teens are expected for overnight lows. Wind chill values in the single digits to as low as around -10 will be possible into Friday morning, NWS forecasters say.
"Tomorrow will be really cold," Reynolds says. "But then we'll have just a brief rebound, but it looks like, overall, the pattern is going to stay cold for the next 7 to 10 days."
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM EST THURSDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 5 to 10 inches. The greatest accumulation will be across northern Niagara and Orleans counties.
* WHERE...Niagara, Orleans, Northern Erie, and Genesee Counties.
* WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 7 PM EST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Widespread accumulating snow will create dangerous travel conditions.
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST FRIDAY
* WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations 6 to 12 inches.
The highest amounts will be across the Chautauqua Ridge and Boston Hills. Wind chills below zero are expected Thursday and Thursday night.
* WHERE...Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie Counties.
* WHEN...Until 1 AM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Widespread accumulating snow will create dangerous travel conditions.