National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are urging some New Yorkers to delay travel this weekend as heavy snow moves into the area.
The NWS has been monitoring the possibility for lake effect snow in parts of New York this weekend, and the Buffalo office issued a winter storm watch earlier this week. On Wednesday afternoon, meteorologists upgraded the watch to a lake effect snow warning for Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counties and the eastern Lake Ontario region for this weekend.
“Heavy lake effect snow expected. Multiple feet of snow will be likely through the weekend in the most persistent lake snows,” the warning said. “The highest accumulations will be in the vicinity of the Tug Hill plateau. Snowfall rates will likely exceed 2 inches an hour at times.”
Vehicles are seen abandoned in heavy snowfall in downtown Buffalo, New York, on December 26, 2022. Lake effect snow is expected in Buffalo this weekend.
Joed Viera/Getty
Once snowfall rates exceed 2 inches per hour, snowplows have a difficult time clearing the roads, NWS meteorologist David Thomas told Newsweek, which means roads will quickly become buried should the snow fall that fast or faster. This could cause extremely dangerous driving conditions, or in some places, roads may temporarily close, although it’s too soon to tell which roads might be affected.
“Travel will be very difficult and at times nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions will certainly impact the Friday evening commute,” the warning said. “During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions.”
The safest course of action will be to delay travel until after the storm, or leave before it arrives.
“If you must travel, drive with extreme caution. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination,” the warning said. “Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns.”
The lake effect snow warning will go into effect at 7 a.m. Friday local time and last through 7 a.m. Monday. Poor driving conditions could impact Thanksgiving travelers on their way home or Black Friday shoppers.
The warning comes as nearly 80 million Americans are expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday nationwide.
Elsewhere in New York, a winter storm watch issued by the Albany office warned of heavy snow of 7 inches or more beginning to fall Wednesday night and lasting through Thursday night. The snow could impede roads for any last-minute travelers.
“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions,” the watch said. “The hazardous conditions could impact travel around the Thanksgiving holiday.”
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