BUFFALO, N.Y. – Nearly one million residents in New York and parts of Pennsylvania find themselves under Lake-Effect Snow Warnings on Tuesday, primarily clustered in regions south of Buffalo, the vicinity around Erie, Pennsylvania, and off Lake Ontario to the south of Watertown, New York. Anticipated heavier snowfall is on the horizon for later on Tuesday following a preliminary round of lake-effect snow which caused reduced visibility along portions of the Interstate 90 corridor on Monday, consequently affecting travel.
Overnight into Tuesday morning, several snow bands materialized both north and south of Buffalo, alongside a prominent heavy band off Lake Ontario north of Syracuse, New York. According to the FOX Forecast center, the lake-effect snow predicted for Tuesday is expected to once again impact the southern shore of Lake Erie from Erie down to areas just south of Buffalo, in addition to the eastern shore of Lake Ontario extending across the Tug Hill Plateau and Watertown region.
Acknowledged as a region that has experienced some of the most substantial snowfall across the nation this winter season, these weather phenomena bring about rapid bursts of snow leading to hazardous driving conditions, characterized by periods of diminished visibility and blustery winds.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York disclosed on Sunday that state crews were mobilizing into position to manage the snowfall. “We are closely monitoring the lake-effect snow system moving through parts of our state, and doing everything we can to ensure that we are prepared,” stated Hochul in a news release.
Forecasts indicate that the most severe snowfall is expected to concentrate on the southern shore of Lake Erie from Erie to regions near and south of Buffalo, alongside the eastern shore of Lake Ontario surrounding the Watertown area. Snowfall accumulations in these zones could surpass one foot, with more than two feet projected to accumulate south of Watertown across the Tug Hill Plateau.
This marks the fourth notable lake-effect snow event for the region this season, with one such occurrence in mid-December resulting in a snow band establishing itself just south of Buffalo during morning rush hour, causing multiple accidents and gridlock along Interstate 90. The prevailing pattern this winter has seen the highest snow totals and densest lake-effect snow bands favoring Erie along the I-90 corridor, with Erie experiencing a staggering 82.4 inches of snow thus far this season compared to Buffalo’s more modest 29.7 inches, as reported by the National Weather Service.
While the ongoing lake-effect event is not projected to reach the intensity of prior occurrences this season, it is still expected to substantially contribute to the region’s snowfall totals. For instance, Watertown has already accumulated over 5.5 feet of snow this winter.
In parallel, this same lake-effect snow event is slated to bring snowfall to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the western shores along Lake Michigan in the state.
Source: Another 1-2 feet of lake-effect snow to bury New York towns this week
