Heavy snow, wind and blowing snow in the Buffalo metropolitan area

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) – Waves of snow and gusty winds created difficult driving conditions across much of the Buffalo metropolitan area and western New York on Thursday.

The resulting poor driving conditions led dozens of area school districts to decide to close Thursday.

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A Note on winter weather is released for Metro Buffalo, Northern Erie, Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties through early Friday, with additional accumulations of 2 to 5 inches forecast during that period.

A Snow warning due to lake effect is posted for Southern Erie County as well as the Southern Tier through early Friday, with an additional forecast of 4 to 8 inches for that period.

A band of snow moved across the Buffalo metropolitan area in the early morning hours Thursday, falling as much as 2 to 5 inches per hour. Combined with gusty winds, visibility was drastically reduced at times.

“Today we will see additional accumulations in the 2 to 4 inch range across the metropolitan area,” National Weather Service meteorologist Tony Ansuini tells WBEN. “Through southern Erie and Wyoming counties, you’ll get closer to half a foot. And if you get into the southern plains, probably closer to a foot.”

Unlike last weekend’s snow, the bigger concern with this weather system is the gusty winds, creating very difficult driving conditions in areas where the snow is heaviest.

“Most of the snow will fall in the morning hours,” notes Ansuini. “It looks like the strong winds of 40 to 50 miles per hour will continue throughout the day today.”

While it will remain wintry through the end of the week, conditions across the greater Buffalo area will begin to improve late Thursday and Friday.

“Most of the snow, the heavier snow, will shift to the southern Plains,” Ansuini said. “Most of the snow in the South Erie, Wyoming metropolitan area is expected to taper off by tomorrow.”

Wind will play a role in this advancing weather system, with gusts exceeding 40 miles per hour.

“There’s a lot of blowing and blowing snow here,” warns Hitchcock.

“While snow amounts will not be as high from Buffalo Northward, there will still be very poor visibility throughout the day tomorrow and tomorrow evening.”

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORS REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST FRIDAY
* WHAT…snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches. Wind gusts of up to 80 km/h will cause heavy snow drifts and drifts.
* WHERE…Niagara, Orleans, Northern Erie and Genesee Counties.
* WHEN…Until Friday, 4pm EST.
* IMPACT… Travel will be difficult. Areas with blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The dangerous conditions will impact morning and evening commutes today. Gusty winds can topple tree branches and cause isolated power outages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS MEASURES…
Periods of snow result in snow-covered roads and reduced visibility. Slow down and be careful while driving.

The Lake Effect Snow Warning remains in effect until 4 a.m. EST Friday
* WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches in the most persistent lake snowfalls. Wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour will cause heavy blowing and blowing snow.
* WHERE…Wyoming and Southern Erie Counties.
* WHEN…Until Friday, 4pm EST.
* IMPACT… Travel will be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility and result in near whiteout conditions at times. The dangerous conditions will impact morning and evening commutes today. Gusty winds can topple tree branches and cause isolated power outages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS MEASURES…
Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. When traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibility.
Submit snow reports via our website or social media.
During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from heavy snow in places with severely reduced visibility to dry conditions just a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility and road conditions.