Winter Storm Watch Issued for WNY Ahead of Thanksgiving
Alright, here’s the latest update for anyone planning their Thanksgiving and Black Friday activities in Western New York. A Winter Storm Watch has officially been issued, covering southern Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties, running from Wednesday evening through Friday evening. So, what does this mean for your holiday plans? Well, the good news is that your turkey trot, family gatherings, and even early Black Friday shopping trips are still on. The focus here isn’t the total snowfall, but rather the timing and intensity of the lake effect snow expected over the next few days.
Forecasters have been keeping a close eye on a cold front moving through the region late Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to drop sharply behind this front, triggering lake effect snow, especially east of Lake Erie. While it’s still too early to pinpoint exact snow totals, areas in the southern tier could see accumulations exceeding seven inches, particularly where the snow bands persist the longest. Winds will also be a factor, gusting up to 45 miles per hour in some locations, creating blowing and drifting snow. Whiteout conditions are even possible, which could make travel tricky and hazardous, particularly on Thanksgiving.
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The snow isn’t expected to be constant in one area. As the winds shift from the southwest to northwest, snow bands will move south across Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties. This means Buffalo may see some snow early Thursday morning, but the heaviest accumulation is likely to be further south, well beyond the southtowns. Travelers should be aware that road conditions could change rapidly, and slippery spots may pop up unexpectedly.
For those heading outdoors on Thursday, temperatures around Buffalo’s turkey trot are expected to be near 30 degrees, but with west winds at 10–20 mph, it will feel closer to 20. Later in the day, gusts could reach 30 mph, so dressing in layers and taking precautions on walkways and steps is advised. If you’re driving during the holiday, make sure to allow extra travel time, and keep an eye on updated forecasts and snow maps as conditions evolve.
While the lake effect snow is expected to linger into Friday, forecasters are already monitoring another system that could bring rain and potentially restart lake effect snow later in the weekend. For now, the key takeaway is to stay alert, plan for challenging travel conditions, and take safety seriously if you’re heading out or hosting gatherings. Thanksgiving may still be on, but a little preparation will go a long way in keeping the holiday safe and enjoyable.
So, in short: snow is coming, winds will be gusty, roads may be slick, but your holiday plans are still very much possible—just keep your eyes on the sky and your salt handy!
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