Buffalo, New York – Residents across western New York could be dealing with renewed winter travel problems as a late-January setup favors accumulating snow and possible lake-enhanced impacts across the region.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, western New York is included in a slight risk for heavy snow from Saturday through the following Friday, signaling an increased chance for at least one impactful winter system. The risk is heightened near the Great Lakes, where colder air can quickly amplify snowfall totals.
In the Buffalo metro area and across Erie County, cold air moving over Lake Erie raises the potential for lake-enhanced snow bands, which can rapidly reduce visibility and make travel hazardous along Interstates 90, 190, and Route 33. Even brief bursts of heavier snow can create near whiteout conditions.
Farther east, including Rochester and Monroe County, similar lake influence off Lake Ontario could lead to periods of steadier snow, especially if winds align favorably. In southwestern New York, including Jamestown and Chautauqua County, terrain and proximity to the lake may allow snow to accumulate efficiently over multiple rounds.
The New York State Department of Transportation urges drivers to monitor conditions closely, avoid unnecessary travel during snow, and keep winter emergency kits in vehicles. With below-normal temperatures favored to persist, snow that falls is likely to linger between systems.
Additional advisories and more precise timing details are expected as the late-January window approaches, with updates likely by early next week.
