New York – A long-duration and potentially life-threatening lake-effect winter storm is expected to impact large portions of western and central New York beginning Monday and continuing through the end of the week.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for areas downwind of Lakes Ontario and Erie, with some warnings extending from Monday afternoon through Saturday morning due to persistent lake-effect snow bands.
In the Eastern Lake Ontario region, including Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. EST Monday for freezing rain, with ice accumulations around three-tenths of an inch and wind gusts up to 45 mph. That advisory will be followed by a Winter Storm Warning from 4 p.m. Monday through 7 a.m. EST Saturday, with 1 to 2 feet of snow expected and wind gusts up to 55 mph, producing blowing snow and whiteout conditions.
Farther west, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and southern Erie counties are under a Winter Storm Warning from 1 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. EST Friday. Forecast snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet are expected, with wind gusts reaching 65 mph, leading to severe blowing and drifting snow and periods of near-zero visibility.
The National Weather Service warns that travel may become treacherous to nearly impossible, with whiteout conditions expected Monday afternoon through much of the week. Ice accumulation may lead to tree damage and scattered power outages, particularly during the early phase of the event.
Lake-effect snow bands are expected to oscillate repeatedly, meaning some locations could see significantly higher snowfall totals where bands remain stationary. The strongest winds are expected Monday and Monday night.
Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, prepare for prolonged winter conditions, and monitor official forecasts closely as this multi-day event unfolds.
