New York — Snow begins to stack up quickly this afternoon as thick flakes swirl across western New York, blurring skylines and coating roads in minutes. Visibility drops fast, and plows struggle to keep pace as lake-effect bands intensify.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Northern Erie County, including Buffalo, from this afternoon through early Thursday morning. Snow totals of 6 to 12 inches are expected, with the heaviest accumulation focused near the Buffalo Southtowns. Travel will be very difficult during the afternoon and evening commute.
Snow showers ramp up through the afternoon, turning heavy at times. Gusty winds near 20 mph blow snow across already slick pavement, creating near whiteout conditions in stronger bands. Drivers along I-90, Route 33, and Route 5 should expect rapidly changing visibility and snow-covered lanes.
Temperatures hover in the 20s, allowing snow to stick immediately. As traffic compresses snow during the day, flash freezing becomes a concern after dark. Even treated roads may turn icy quickly. Officials urge drivers to slow down, leave extra space, and delay non-essential travel if possible.
Snow continues into tonight, with additional accumulations pushing totals higher before tapering early New Year’s Day. Cold air deepens behind the system, keeping wind chills in the single digits as 2026 begins.
Thursday brings lingering snow showers, especially east of Lake Erie, before quieter but cold conditions settle in. Friday stays mostly cloudy with spotty snow showers and highs in the mid-20s. The first weekend of 2026 looks cold but calmer, though occasional lake-effect flurries remain possible.
Traveling or digging out today? Share what conditions look like in your neighborhood.
Five-Day Outlook: Buffalo, New York
- Today: Heavy snow developing. High near 27°F.
- New Year’s Day: Snow showers tapering. High near 20°F.
- Friday: Chance of snow showers. High near 26°F.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High near 25°F.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High near 27°F.
