Heavy lake effect snow forces closure of part of NY Thruway

Interstate 90 closed between Exit 57 (Hamburg-East Aurora) and the Pennsylvania state line on Friday evening, according to the Thruway Authority. The 60-mile stretch of the highway will be closed to all vehicles until further notice.

State officials also imposed a full commercial vehicle ban on the Thruway, between Exit 46 (in Henrietta at Interstate 390) and the Pennsylvania state line. The ban is for vehicles traveling in both directions, according to the alert. Interstate 190 near Buffalo is not included in the ban.

Lake effect snow warnings in New York: How much snow to expect

• Buffalo Metro Area (Northern Erie County):
  • Snowfall: 1 to 2 feet in areas of persistent snowfall, especially South Buffalo and nearby southern suburbs.
  • Timing: 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.
  • Impact: Travel may become extremely difficult due to heavy snow and poor visibility.
• Allegany County:
  • Snowfall: 6 to 10 inches, mainly in the northwest region.
  • Timing: 7 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Monday.
  • Impact: Hazardous travel conditions, especially during morning and evening commutes.
• Genesee County:
  • Snowfall: 6 to 12 inches in southwestern areas.
  • Timing: 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.
  • Impact: Snow-covered roads and reduced visibility expected.
• Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Southern Erie Counties:
  • Snowfall: 3 to 4 feet in the heaviest bands, primarily in western Chautauqua and Southern Erie counties.
  • Timing: 7 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Monday.
  • Impact: Travel will likely be impossible in areas of intense snowfall.
• Eastern Lake Ontario Region (Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis Counties):
  • Snowfall: 4 to 5 feet near Watertown and the northern Tug Hill region.
  • Timing: 7 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Monday.
  • Impact: Dangerous travel conditions and significant disruptions.