Buffalo, N.Y. — Snow and blowing snow target the Western New York commuter shed Friday as a lake-enhanced system snarls travel along I-90 and I-190 from the Niagara Frontier through Buffalo and east toward Genesee County. The National Weather Service says 3 to 6 inches of snow will pile up beginning 7 a.m. Friday, with hazardous conditions persisting through 7 p.m. Saturday as winds gust to 40 mph, sharply reducing visibility during the Friday evening commute.
The NWS Buffalo office issued a Winter Weather Advisory covering Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. Forecasters say an Arctic front triggers widespread snow showers Friday morning, transitioning to more localized but intense lake-effect bands Friday night into Saturday. Blowing and drifting snow will redevelop on treated roads, especially after sunset.
Impacts concentrate along Buffalo’s primary corridors. I-90 slows through Cheektowaga, Depew and toward Batavia as bursts of snow cut visibility. I-190 sees repeated slick stretches near downtown Buffalo and north toward Tonawanda. Route 5 along the Lake Erie shoreline becomes increasingly difficult through Lackawanna and Hamburg as winds drive snow back across lanes. South of the city, Route 219 toward Springville faces drifting and reduced traction, while secondary roads linking Orchard Park, West Seneca and Lancaster ice over quickly in falling temperatures.
Behind the snow, dangerous cold follows. An Extreme Cold Watch runs late Friday night through Sunday morning, with wind chills dropping 15 to 25 below zero. Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes.
Snow tapers Saturday afternoon, but bitter cold lingers into Sunday before gradual improvement early next week.
- Friday: Snow showers, 3–6 In Snow, gusts to 40 MPH; severe travel impacts. High 27.
- Friday Night: Blowing snow, drifting, rapidly falling wind chills. Low -1.
- Saturday: Chance snow early, windy and very cold. High 7.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, extreme cold. High 13.
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, slow moderation. High 21.
