Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - While the Buffalo metro area may see a quick burst and few inches of lake effect snow early Saturday, the real story will be the more intense lake effect snow bands that will concentrate on the southern tier through the weekend.
A Lake Effect Snow Warning is posted for Southern Erie, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties early Saturday, through Monday morningt.
"Lake effect snow is going to develop," National Weather Service meteorologist John Hitchcock tells WBEN. "First up in the metro area in Niagara County overnight tonight. It won't be up here for too long, then heads South into the Southtowns and Southern Tier as we go through Saturday."
Hitchcock says a few inches will fall across the metro area first, before heading south to the Boston Hills and Southern Tier for the remainder of the weekend.
"Down there, we could be looking at 7 or 8 inches or more of accumulation through the weekend... well South of the Southtowns into the Southern Tier."
It will be a cold weekend, as much colder air moves back into the area Saturday night and Sunday.
LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 7 AM EST MONDAY
* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations 8 to 12 inches in the most persistent lake snows.
* WHERE...Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie Counties. The greatest accumulations will focus across the higher terrain of the Chautauqua Ridge and Boston Hills, while remaining well south of the Buffalo Southtowns.
* WHEN...From 7 AM Saturday to 7 AM EST Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult with snow covered roads and poor visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.