Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency for over a dozen counties on Monday due to the anticipated heavy snowfall from lake effect snow.
According to the latest weather forecast, there will be heavy snowfall in the areas east of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie from Monday to Wednesday. The snowfall rates are expected to be between 1 to 2 inches per hour in the heaviest bands. Additionally, there will be elevated wind gusts of up to 30 mph.
South Buffalo and areas south of Lake Erie are expected to see one to two feet of snow, with Downtown Buffalo potentially receiving up to a foot. On the other hand, the Watertown region, located east of Lake Ontario, is forecasted to receive a significant amount of snow, ranging from two to three feet.
“As lake effect snow falls across several areas of our state, I’m declaring a State of Emergency for these areas to ensure state resources are available to assist local communities as we work together to keep New Yorkers safe throughout the duration of the storm,” Hochul said. “We also continue to deal with extreme cold which poses an extraordinary risk to anyone who is exposed to the elements or is unable to adequately heat their home, and I encourage all New Yorkers to monitor their local forecast and take precautions to keep themselves and their families safe.”
The state of emergency applies to several counties, including Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, and Oneida, as well as the surrounding counties.
State officials are now able to coordinate and share resources with local authorities impacted by the lake effect snow, thanks to the declaration. The State Department of Transportation, along with others, will offer extra assistance beyond the current shared service agreements.
By Tuesday morning, several areas have already experienced over a foot of snow. One noteworthy location is Adams in Jefferson County, where approximately 20 inches of snow has accumulated. Another area, West Falls, located just south of Buffalo, has recorded 17 inches of snow as of Tuesday morning.
Residents in the areas east of New York’s Great Lakes should be ready for more snow in the coming hours. The National Weather Service predicts that certain towns may receive up to 2 feet of additional snow by Tuesday night, in addition to what has already fallen.
Wednesday will bring significant snowfall to Watertown and the surrounding areas, with the potential for up to 25 inches of snow.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a warning to residents about the severe winter weather conditions. Along with heavy snowfall, the state is expected to experience the coldest temperatures of the season. The “Feels Like” temperatures could reach as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme cold weather is expected to persist until Wednesday.
The weather service has issued a cold weather advisory for most of New York due to the frigid wind chills and the dangerous conditions they bring.
