Lake effect snow not expected to hit Niagara County hard
Jan. 16—While the Western New York region is expected to be hit by another lake effect snow event today, most of Niagara County should again see little impact.
Kirk Apffel, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Buffalo said Niagara County will find itself on the "fringe" of the lake effect snow that will hammer Erie County.
"You'll be on the northern fringe of the (lake effect) snow band," Apffel said Tuesday night. "Wednesday afternoon the band will push into the southern parts of Niagara County."
That push will bring snow into the Falls, North Tonawanda and Wheatfield, with accumulations of "several inches." The snow band is likely to "clip Lockport" as well.
"The northern parts of Niagara County should see little snow," Apffel said, pointing out that Lewiston and Youngstown would likely see little accumulation.
Apffel said the lake effect snow band will shift back south into Erie County by Wednesday night. He projected snow showers for during the day Thursday, with the lake effect snow warning lifting by 7 p.m. in Erie County.
The news isn't so good for other areas of WNY through Thursday night. Some spots are expected to see one to three feet of snow. The most snow is expected to fall in the Buffalo metro area and will be heaviest today with rates up to 2-3 inches per hour. Winds are also expected to gust up to 35 to 40 mph, especially today, which will create blowing and drifting snow, according to state forecasts.
Wind chills are forecast to dip down to the negatives or low single digits for several days, continuing through Sunday. The combination of wind, snow and freezing temperatures will likely make travel dangerous so drivers should avoid unnecessary travel in impacted areas, especially today.
A travel advisory is currently in place for Erie County and county executive Mark Poloncarz is encouraging employers to allow individuals to work from home through the rest of the week. It's too early to determine whether officials would impose a travel ban.
It would mark the second time in less than a week the region has been hit, after a lake-effect storm dumped between 1 and 3 feet of snow over the weekend, with much of it concentrated on the Bills home in Orchard Park.
"While this next wave of weather isn't expected to be as impactful as last weekend's storm, New Yorkers should still be prepared," Gov. Kahty Hochul said. "Our state agencies are continuing to work around the clock to monitor conditions, clear the roads support localities. My top priority is to keep New Yorkers safe."
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