BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Lake Effect Snow Warning has been issued for parts of Western New York.
The warning is in effect until 1 p.m. Friday for Erie, Genesee, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Wyoming Counties, including Warsaw, Jamestown, Olean, Orchard Park and Springville, Buffalo and Batavia.
National Weather Service Winter Storm Severity Index
You can find the latest forecast from the 7 Weather team here and the latest updates on driving bans, travel advisories and more from the 7 News team here.
Aaron's 10 a.m. Thursday update:
Aaron's 8 a.m. Thursday update:
The lake effect snow band will settle south of Buffalo this morning and continue drift a bit further south through 12 p.m. The band will then shift back northward toward Buffalo in time for the afternoon commute.
The band then moves south early Friday and stays over the Southern Tier before fading out.
In the band, snow rates will be 2-3" per hour and winds will gust near 45 miles per hour. This will cause whiteout conditions and make for treacherous travel in and near the lake band.
Some areas of Southern Erie County have already received a foot of snow. Hamburg, Eden, and Evans will see 2 to 3 feet of accumulation by Friday morning.
Original story:
A very cold air mass will spill across Western New York on Wednesday afternoon. Rain will change to snow on Wednesday and the lake effect snow machine will fire up. Lake Erie is 43 degrees which is 2 degrees above normal.
The heaviest snow will be along the Chautauqua Ridge to the Southtowns. The band will fluctuate a bit on Thursday, but the heaviest snow will be just south of Metro Buffalo. South Buffalo will once again see more snow than North Buffalo. The strongest part of the band could produce a snow rate near 3"/hour.
Winds will be strong pushing the lake band further inland toward Genesee and Wyoming Counties. Temperatures will be in the 20s with winds gusting near 40 miles per hour. These strong winds will create areas of blowing and drifting snow, with wind-chills near 0.
Expect some school closings and school activity cancellations Thursday. Our weather team will continue to update this story as new data arrives.
