What to Expect in the Next 36 Hours of Western New York Weather

The National Weather Service urged motorists to postpone or avoid travel if possible.

With many schools closed, there were breakdowns, accidents and other traffic accidents on roads and highways early Thursday.

The weather service issued a snow squall warning until 8:45 a.m. for northeastern Erie, Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties. That means heavy heavy snowfall, gusty winds and rapidly decreasing visibility, the weather service said.

Travel could become dangerous within minutes, forecasters said.

A lake effect snow advisory is in effect for southern Erie and Wyoming counties until 4 a.m. Friday.

According to the weather service, snow is expected to fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Wind gusts will blow at speeds of up to 45 mph (72 km/h), causing blowing snow.

Forecasters said in a social media post that there would be “extremely difficult travel conditions” this morning.

Thursday afternoon and evening

Snow and lake effect snow will continue, with the largest accumulations east and southeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Forecasters are predicting blowing snow and local lake snow southeast of the lakes.

Road conditions will be slippery and visibility is expected to be poor.

Winds are expected to ease this evening.

An additional 3 to 4 inches of snow was forecast for Buffalo and northern Erie County from today through Friday morning. 15 to 20 centimeters of fresh snow was expected in large parts of the east and south of the district.

The weather service said partly sunny conditions are expected Friday morning with high temperatures above 20°C.

A lake effect snow advisory is in effect for Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties until 4 a.m. Saturday.