By Bert Gambini
Buffalo, NY – All of Western New York was hit hard Thursday by a winter storm that left its biggest footprint in the Southtowns. Lake snows and blowing snow driven by high winds caused poor visibility and some white-conditions across the region.
Although the worst appears to be over the the Buffalo area, Southern Erie, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties remain under a lake effect snow warning until 7am Saturday. Meteorologist Dave Zaff at the Airport Weather Station says ski country could see some significant snowfall.
Accumulations in ski country could reach 14 inches Friday, with another 4-8 inches of new snow possibly falling tonight. Total accumulations in the hardest hit parts of Western New York could reach two to three feet by Saturday morning. As of late Thursday, East Aurora had 16 inches on the ground. A weather service spotter in West Seneca is reporting 14 inches. Officially at the airport weather station, six inches fell Thursday.
And while Buffalo probably won't see any snow today, Zaff says "bundle up." Wind chills throughout the region will plunge below zero.
State Thruway authorities have closed the 90 between exit-59 in Dunkirk and the Pennsylvania State Line in both the East and West Bound Directions because of the weather. Detours have been posted.
Travelers advisories are in effect for Genesee and Wyoming Counties.