BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Thursday for parts of western New York ahead of a dangerous storm that had the potential to dump several feet of snow on some communities on the eastern ends of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
The worst snowfall was expected in Buffalo, where the National Weather Service said up to 4 feet might fall in some spots through Sunday, with periods of near-zero visibility. Other areas could get a foot or less of the lake-effect snow, which is caused by frigid air picking up copious amounts of moisture from the warmer lakes.
People in western NY are stocking up ahead of more snow tonight through the weekend! Up to 4 feet may fall in some parts of the Buffalo metro! #NYwx pic.twitter.com/fbyvr8mapW
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) November 17, 2022
Hochul’s state of emergency covers 11 counties, with commercial truck traffic banned from a stretch of Interstate 90 after 4 p.m. Thursday. The snowfall was expected to be most intense between 7 p.m. Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday, but with even more falling on Saturday.
“I want western New Yorkers to take this seriously,” Hochul said.
Several inches of snow already 30min SE of Buffalo, this may fall in 1-2hours time once the intense lake effect snow band sets up tonight! We're LIVE on @weatherchannel beginning at 5pm this evening! pic.twitter.com/GujeQiI1m3
— Chris Bruin (@TWCChrisBruin) November 17, 2022
The storm had the potential to disrupt the Buffalo Bills’ home game on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. An NFL spokesman said the league was considering contingencies including moving the game to a neutral site, with Detroit and Washington potential options.
Now that’s a fire hose of snow!????????????
— Scot Pilié (@ScotPilie_Wx) November 17, 2022
Once this hyperlocalized band of lake effect snow gears up, a matter of miles will mean the difference between inches and 3-4+ FEET of snow!
Southtowns to #Buffalo right in line to see potential historic 24-36hr snow totals. @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/wIWEOzdx7F
The weather service also warned of accumulations of 2 feet or more of snow in parts of northern Michigan through Sunday.
