Buffalo, New York – Drivers across the Southern Tier have a narrow window this afternoon where a thin glaze of ice could turn untreated roads and sidewalks slick before 4 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m. Tuesday for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. Light freezing rain is expected to leave additional ice accumulations of a few hundredths of an inch, enough to create patchy hazards on untreated surfaces.
Jamestown, Olean and Wellsville may see slick secondary roads and parking lots, especially where pavement temperatures remain below freezing. Bridges and overpasses are most likely to ice over first. While widespread power issues are not expected, even minor icing can increase crash risk during the late afternoon drive.
Motorists should reduce speed and allow extra stopping distance. Surfaces that appear wet may actually be icy. Pedestrians should use caution on stairs and sidewalks.
Freezing rain tapers toward late afternoon, and conditions should gradually improve after 4 p.m., though isolated slick spots may linger into the early evening.
