The first significant snowfall of the season is affecting parts of Western New York. Steady and persistent lake effect snow fell early Sunday in ski country where a lake snow warning continues through Monday morning for up to a foot of snow.
The Cattaraugus County community of Delevan had five inches on the ground by mid-morning Sunday. Crews from the Erie County Public Works Department said they were maintaining roadways in the southern portion of the county. They advise caution.
A lake effect snow advisory has been posted for Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming and Allegany Counties through 7:00 Monday evening where four to eight inches are expected. But National Weather Service Meteorologist Bill Hibbert says the immediate Buffalo area will escape the brunt of the snow.
"We may see a quick burst of snow," Hibbert said. "We'll see just a coating on car tops, lawns and leaf piles."
Hibbert said roadways are relatively warm, so any snow that does fall in the city and surrounding suburbs should immediately melt.
He said it will be windy, which could cause some blowing snow. Wind gusts could top 45 miles per hour.