New York — The wind slices across open lots near the Buffalo airport this morning, kicking loose crystals of snow that glint under the rising sun. The cold feels sharp and immediate, the kind that crawls into gloves and stings exposed skin. Pavement stays dry for now, but the air carries that unmistakable lake-effect tension ahead of a fast-developing weekend storm.
Meteorologists are tracking a strengthening arctic push that will collide with Lake Erie’s warm flow later today. That setup often produces intense, narrow snow bands, and the latest guidance shows a high-impact Saturday for the Buffalo Metro and the broader Niagara Frontier. The National Weather Service notes that a band of lake-enhanced snow will develop late tonight and continue through Saturday morning, capable of producing several inches in the hardest-hit corridors.
By Saturday, snow may fall heavily at times, with rates strong enough to quickly coat roadways and cut visibility along I-90, Route 33, and sections of I-290. The official forecast calls for 3–5 inches possible, though localized totals could vary sharply depending on where the main band stalls. Drivers should prepare for sudden whiteouts, drifting snow, and slippery bridges. Expect conditions to deteriorate fastest before sunrise Saturday through midday.
Sunday brings lingering snow showers with a lighter 40–50% chance, but gusty west winds keep the air brutally cold. Highs struggle near 22°F, and any melted snow may refreeze into black ice, especially on neighborhood streets and untreated parking lots.
Five-Day Outlook
• Saturday: Heavy snow; 3–5 inches possible.
• Sunday: Chance snow showers; high near 22°F.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy; high 27°F; snow showers possible.
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy; high 27°F.
• Wednesday: Chance showers; high 33–45°F.
