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Snowstorm triggers state of emergency for parts of New York

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Snowstorm triggers state of emergency for parts of New York

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Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday issued a state of emergency for nearly a dozen counties in New York due to several feet of lake effect snow predicted to fall through Monday evening.

“This is a very serious storm,” Hochul said on Friday. “People have gotten a little complacent because the fall and the winter thus far have been pretty mild. But I want everyone to take this seriously.”

The amount of snow predicted to fall varies by location – with some parts of New York expected to see between 4 and 5 feet of snow by Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The state of emergency covers Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wyoming counties.

Hochul called the predicted forecast “a common lake effect storm” and said that preparedness is key.

“We are so accustomed to this kind of storm,” Hochul said. “We don’t love it, but it is part of who we are as New Yorkers, especially Western New York and the North Country. And we’re ready to be ready for any scenario.”

The National Guard is on standby and nearly 6,000 utility crews are prepared to repair any downed power lines, if needed. Though high winds are not expected as part of the storm. More than 4,000 state Department of Transportation and Thruway workers prepared – including 2,100 snowplows – to clear snow on a very busy travel weekend; one of the busiest of the year.

NY Thruway closed due to heavy lake effect snow

Along with the state of emergency, state officials on Friday closed a 60-mile stretch of the New York state Thruway to all vehicles, between Exit 57 and the Pennsylvania state line. A ban on all commercial vehicles was also issued between Exit 46 – at Interstate 390 in Henrietta – and the Pennsylvania state line.

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

The National Weather Service in Buffalo issued lake effect snow warnings for about a dozen counties in western and central New York. The amount of snow predicted to fall through Monday varies by location – ranging from 6 to 10 inches in Allegany County to 4 or 5 feet of snow near Watertown and the Tug Hill region just east of Lake Ontario.

Chautauqua County has been the hardest hit area thus far in western New York, Weather Service forecasters said Saturday morning. More than 2 feet of snow fell there – with Cassadaga and Mayville tallying the highest snowfall totals as of 7 a.m., with 31.6 inches in Cassadaga and 30 inches of snow in Mayvillle.

Heavy lake effect snow is expected to slowly move north on Saturday, from the Southern Tier to the towns south of Buffalo and the southern part of the City of Buffalo, according to the Weather Service. Up to two feet of snow is predicted to fall in the most persistent snow bands with rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour possible.

Near Buffalo, between 10 and 20 inches of lake effect snow is expected by the end of Sunday, according to the Weather Service. The southern part of Erie County, along with Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, are predicted to see 2 to 4 feet of snow by Monday night.

In nearby Genesee County, up to a foot of snow is predicted by Sunday evening in the southwestern portion of the county.

How much snow will NY get in winter storm?

  • 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.
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