Lake Effect Snow Machine slams into high gear

Cold air has returned to many areas in the East as a cold front advances off the Coast, as previously mentioned in Chris’s article.   This air, along with strong northwesterly winds, will combine with the unfrozen lakes to produce large quantities  of lake effect snow through this weekend.     I expect that the snow will continue to pile up through Sunday and beyond with some areas seeing several feet of snow.  New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Ohio, and Michigan will be impacted by this event.

Above photos courtesy of NWS Buffalo and NWS Cleveland

Lake Effect Snow Warnings and Watches

Lake Effect Snow Warnings are in effect for Southern Erie, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in Western New York.  The warning is in effect until 7:00 p.m. on January 29.  Storm total snowfall of 2 feet or more will be possible in the most persistent lake snows.

Lake Effect Snow Warnings are in effect for Jefferson, Oswego and Lewis counties in North Central New York.  The warning is in effect until 7:00 p.m. on January 29.  Storm total snowfall of 3 feet or more will be possible in the most persistent lake snows.

Lake Effect Snow Watches are in effect for Northern Erie and Genesee counties. The watch is in effect from morning through late night on Saturday January 28th.  Storm total snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are possible in the most persistent lake snows.

A Lake Effect Snow Watch is in effect for Allegany County through the evening on Sunday January 29th.  Storm total snowfall accumulations of 10 to 20 inches are possible in the most persistent lake snows.

No advisories are issued in Michigan at this time but they will likely be issued later on.

Travel Hazards

Interstates 75, 80 , 81, and 90 should expect to see heavy precipitation at times from now through the weekend.  Visibility in these areas can be 10 miles one minute and then suddenly drop to white out conditions as you enter the snow bands.  Travel in this area should be taken with a maximum of preparations and should be avoided if at all possible.  We have all seen the images of backed up traffic where several inches of snow piles up very quickly on roadways that can’t be plowed with the cars in the way.

Rob