By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A fast moving, hard hitting winter storm continues to blast its way through Western New York. A winter storm warning will remain in effect into Friday night. For the Buffalo Niagara region, the warning will be posted through 10 p.m. Friday night and in Chautaqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties it will end at 8 p.m. Friday.
National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Niziol says the storm was right on schedule. Many schools closed today in anticipation of today's wintery blast. That included all Buffalo Public schools.
As of 3pm, conditions have improved in Buffalo. The heaviest snow was continuing in Niagara Falls.
Some flights are cancelled or delayed at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
"The airlines have cancelled probably upwards of 30 flights this morning," said NFTA spokesman Doug Hartmayer. "I talked with the airfield briefly. Braking conditions are being reported by the pilots as being good, which is an indication the crews are doing a good job out there. The airlines are both able to receive flights and departing flights are able to take off."
Flights have been canceled to airports in New York, Chicago and Detroit due to weather in those cities. As for Metro Bus, they are all running, but might be behind schedule due to the rough road conditions.
The Skyway reopened during the 2:00. There was a travel ban in North Tonawanda and no unnecessary travel in the City of Tonawanda. The University at Buffalo has canceled all afternoon and evening classes and activities. Essential personnel should report. Erie Community College has closed its three campuses. Also closed is Bryant and Stratton's three campuses, Canisius College, Daemen, D'Youville, Hilbert, Medaille, Niagara County Community College, Trocaire and Villa Maria. The Albright Knox Art Gallery and Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society are closed. All branches of the Amherst library and the Tonawanda library are closed. All YMCA branches have closed for the day. All state and federal courts in the eight county region are closed.