Following Tuesday morning's bitter single digit cold, some light generalized snow will move across the Buffalo-Niagara area late in the day, followed by another boost of snow that will accumulate across the southtowns and southern tier through Wednesday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is posted Wednesday for southern Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, and for the Buffalo metro area from 7 p.m. Tuesday until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The snow Wednesday will mix with rain at times across the lower elevations of the Buffalo-Niagara region.
The bitter cold will begin to subside, for now at least, says National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Thomas.
"Those cold temperatures will begin to moderate through the daytime, and throughout the day tomorrow."
Temperatures Wednesday will actually reach the upper 30's, creating that chance for rain, instead of snow, across the metro Buffalo area for a period of time.
Thomas says the light, mostly generalized, but lake-enhanced snow, will overspread the region Tuesday afternoon, accumulating an inch or so.
Another round of widespread snow will develop across the region overnight into Wednesday.
While the rain will hold back any significant accumulations across the metro area Wednesday, the higher terrain across the southern tier will remain in an all-snow zone with colder temperatures.
"South of Buffalo, we're looking for 4 to 6 inches of snow, mainly on the hilltops," Thomas says.
The Wednesday morning commute could be a slick one, with the transition from snow to rain, leading to icy spots, particularly where surfaces are snow-covered to begin with.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST WEDNESDAY
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations 2 to 5 inches. Lake effect snow this evening will produce 1 to 3 inches across the Buffalo Northtowns and Niagara County. Widespread snow will then produce a few more inches of snow late tonight through Wednesday morning for the entire region.
* WHERE...Niagara, Orleans, Northern Erie, and Genesee Counties.
* WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on snow covered and slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday morning 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 IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 10 PM EST WEDNESDAY
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations 4 to 8 inches.
Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
* WHERE...Southern Erie and Wyoming counties and the western Southern Tier.
* WHEN...From 1 AM to 10 PM EST Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will transition to plain rain and drizzle as soon as early Wednesday morning, first across the lower terrain near Lake Erie, and with increasing temperatures, across inland lower elevations during the day Wednesday. Hill tops may remain as a wet snow through the event, until the early evening when a colder airmass transitions precipitation to a fluffier snow for all locations.
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.