Winter travel bans and advisories in WNY

ERIE COUNTY, NY – Winter weather is in full swing in certain parts of Western New York and some areas have issued both travel advisories and travel bans.

A Snow warning due to lake effect was issued for Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. The warning is in effect for northern Erie and Genesee counties until 1 p.m. Friday.

Here is a list of those that are subject to bans or recommendations:

• City of Dunkirk
• Pomfret town
• Fredonia
• City of Aurora
• East Aurora Village
• Wyoming County
• Southern part of Genesee County

• City of Brant
• City of Evans
• Hamburg
• Blasdell Village
• Farnham village
• Angola
• Orchard Park
• The 219 is closed in both directions

A previous social media post said a portion of the Thruway was closed through Exit 55, but that post has since been deleted and provided this new update:

I-90: The westbound ramp to Rt. 219 South at Exit 55 (Springville – Orchard Park – Lackawanna – West Seneca – US Route 219 – Ridge Road) is now closed until further notice as the New York State Department of Transportation Rt .219.

Since Thursday midnight, a tandem and empty driving ban has been in effect for:

• NY Route 5 from NY 179 to I-190 (Erie County);
• US 219 from I-90 to I-86 (Erie and Cattaraugus counties);
• NY Route 400 from I-90 to NY 16 (Erie County); And
• I-86 from US 219 to the Pennsylvania State Line (Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties)

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for counties expected to be severely affected.

We will continue to update this story as more travel updates arrive.