National Weather Service in Buffalo Winter Storm Summary for Friday, December 23-Saturday, December 24, 2022

State and local crews are making final preparations ahead of a powerful winter storm that is expected to unleash heavy snow along with strong winds in Western New York.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said Emergency Services Director Noel Guttman has been in contact with Sunset Bay and upper lakeshore fire departments, “They are ready to house individuals should the need arise. Many of those people have been through this unfortunately before. They’re saying this time that this is a ‘once in a lifetime’ hurricane force winds in excess of 60 to 70 miles per hour, but we are prepared.”

Wendel said a briefing will take place today between Western New York elected officals. Governor Kathy Hochul has also directed state agencies to prepare emergency response assets in advance of the significant winter weather system.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has said flooding is likely along the Lake Erie Shoreline, including Sunset Bay area and the Dunkirk Harbor. This is in addition to freezing spray caused by very strong winds that could gust as high as 60 miles per hour.

The weather service said temperatures will plummet from the upper 30s into the teens Friday in a very short period of time. This flash freeze will make roads ice up quickly.

They added that travel will be difficult to impossible this weekend, including Friday. Heavy snow, with total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet in most persistent snows, is expected.

Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage and numerous power outages. And cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Pictured above, one of the snowplows operated by the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities. (Image courtesy of Chautauqua County Executive’s Office)

BUFFALO – The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Most of Western New York, including Chautauqua County. The warning is in effect from 11 a.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected in southern Chautauqua County – including Jamestown – while 6 to 10 inches can be expected in northern Chautauqua County and in Erie County.

Conditions will deteriorate during the day Monday, with the heaviest snowfall rates and worst travel from late Monday afternoon through Monday night.

As a result of the weather, Governor Andrew Cuomo is urging New Yorkers to be prepared. Rapidly dropping temperatures and heavy snowfall will result in slick, snow-covered roads and treacherous driving conditions.  In addition, county officials are reminding residents about precautions to take.

“Drivers should slow down and use caution when traveling on slick or snow-covered roads during the winter,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone. “It is always best to plan ahead and account for extra travel time if you absolutely must drive during adverse weather conditions.”

Drivers are reminded to:

• Postpone or cancel non-essential trips if travel conditions are hazardous and obey travel bans;
• Clean off all snow and ice from their vehicles by making sure snow and frost is removed from the windshield, windows and side mirrors; compacted snow is removed from the wheel wells; and snow is removed from the headlights and taillights so other drivers can see you.
• Reduce their speeds when roads are slick or visibility is reduced, and turn on their headlights so other drivers can see you;
• Keep parked vehicles off the roadways and shoulders of the road;
• Update the emergency kit in their vehicles so it includes a shovel, snowbrush, windshield scraper, reflective vest, flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, cell phone charger or battery pack, water, snack food, matches, first aid kit with a pocket knife, necessary medications, blankets, tow chain or rope, road salt and sand, booster cables, emergency flares, florescent distress flag, and extra hats, socks and mittens;
• Remember to bring a cell phone when travelling so it can be used in case of an emergency;
• Call the Sheriff’s Office or other law enforcement agencies to notify them if your vehicle breaks down on the side of the road; and
• Keep the gas tank at least half full to prevent the fuel line from freezing.

The Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities Division of Transportation will also be out plowing and salting county-owned roads.

“While county plow operators are attempting to make our roadways safe, I encourage drivers to please not add to the hazards of wintertime driving,” said Brad Bentley, Department of Public Facilities Director. “Drivers should always use extra caution near snowplows by reducing their speed and keeping a safe distance.”

Drivers are required to stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow. If drivers must pass a snowplow, they should use caution as snowplows can create a cloud of snow that can obscure vision and the road conditions in front of the plow will likely be worse.

The Department of Public Facilities also encourages residents to clear snow from around their mailboxes and inspect and, if necessary, replace their mailbox posts to ensure they can withstand winter conditions. Mailboxes physically hit and damaged by snowplows will be repaired, but mailboxes that break from the force of the snow coming off the plow will not be fixed.

In addition, when clearing your driveway, it is unlawful to push or brush snow into the roadway. This creates a dangerous situation for motorists.

“By giving our area plow drivers room to clear the roads, being respectful and patient when we are travelling behind a plow, and using caution during adverse travel conditions, we can all help create a safe winter driving season,” said George Borrello, Chautauqua County Executive. “I also urge residents to check in on neighbors, especially the elderly, who may be more at risk during heavy snow events and frigid temperatures.”

Significant snowfall and the potential for blowing and drifting snow can also increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a gas that is referred to as the silent killer because it is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating. If snow blocks furnace or hot water tank vents, it can cause carbon monoxide to accumulate indoors. At high levels, this gas can cause suffocation, loss of consciousness, brain damage or death.

“It is important that individuals protect themselves and their families from carbon monoxide poisoning by making sure they have working carbon monoxide detectors in their homes and by ensuring furnace and hot water tank vents are not blocked by snow,” said John Griffith, Chautauqua County Office of Emergency Services Director.

Portable generators can also be a source of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use a portable generator inside a home, basement or any enclosed or semi-enclosed structure. It should be placed outside and away from windows and doors of any nearby building.

The Office of Emergency Services also reminds residents to keep their house numbers visible so first responders can quickly locate a home in the event of an emergency. Residents should remove snow from around the numbers in both directions and be sure to use reflective numbers that show up at night.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo says a Wind Chill Warning Remains in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for all of Chautauqua County. In addition, a winter storm warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. – mostly for the northern part of the county.

Wind chills as low as 35 below zero are expected in some areas of the county on Thursday. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches in the most persistent lake snow areas along the Chautauqua Ridge.

Travel could be very difficult in the north county with widespread blowing snow producing near whiteout conditions at times. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

In addition to blowing and drifting snow in the north the entire county faces dangerously cold wind chills and Health officials say if you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can occur in 15 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 25 below zero or colder.

As a result of the cold weather, Jamestown Public Schools and all other local schools, including Frewsburg, Falconer, Southwestern and Cassadaga Valley are once again closed for today. Both JCC and SUNY Fredonia are also closed today.

While most of the state is expected to see moderate snowfall, lake effect systems are expected to bring up to one foot of snow or more to portions of Western New York and the North Country. Area motorists are advised that they should travel with caution over the next 36 hours as driving conditions may grow difficult due to snow covered roads and limited visibility.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo issued a Winter Storm Warning for the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Southern Erie and Wyoming, running from late last night through Thursday afternoon.

Heavy lake effect snow is possible with total snow accumulations of six to 12 inches possible for Jamestown, with even more amounts expected along the Chautauqua Ridge.

Winds could gust as high as 40 mph, causing blowing snow and significantly reduced visibility. Hazardous travel conditions will likely impact the morning and evening commute on Thursday.

In addition to Jamestown Public Schools, all other schools in the WRFA listening area were closed for Wednesday, Nov. 28, including Falconer, Southwestern, Frewsburg, Bemus Point, Cassadaga Valley, Panama, Chautauqua Lake and Bethel Baptist Christian Academy.

Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello issued a travel advisory Wednesday for Chautauqua County. County officials are advising no unnecessary travel throughout the county due to weather conditions. Individuals who are traveling are advised to slow down and use extreme caution. Borrello also engaged the Inclement Weather Policy for all non-essential Chautauqua County employees. Non-essential employees are not required to report to work.

The public should call county offices they planned to conduct business with today to ensure they are open.

For those attempting to make it to work or another destination you are advised to use extra caution and allow plenty of extra time to reach your destination. Also, anticipate reduced visibility at times in blowing snow.

The winter storm we are currently experiencing first hit the area on Tuesday morning, causing tricky driving conditions throughout Chautauqua County.  The Post-Journal is reporting that several tractor-trailers became stuck after being unable to traverse the snow- and ice-covered roads.

The New York State Police reported Route 60, from Gerry to Fredonia, had several stranded motorists due to stuck tractor-trailers that caused traffic to back up.

I-90 in the Erie, PA area was also closed down to traffic for a period of time due to the weather.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for all of Chautauqua County until 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Forecasters say Heavy Lake Effect Snow is expected over the region with additional snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds will also be gusting as high as 40 mph.

Due to the weather, Travel could be very difficult to impossible in some locations. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact commutes this morning, this evening and Wednesday morning.

If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibility.

JAMESTOWN – The area has had a break from winter the past several days but that will soon change starting later Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties… including the city of Jamestown… from 7 p.m. Thursday until 1 p.m. on Friday.

According to the warning, heavy snow is expected with total snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches possible through Friday afternoon.

Travel will be very difficult to impossible on some roadways, including during the morning commute on Friday. Significant reductions in visibility are possible.

Gusty winds and wet heavy snow could also cause tree branches to fall.

The National Weather Service says the Winter Storm Warning will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday, with snow expected before noon, then snow showers likely after noon. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are predicted for the day, with areas of blowing snow are also expected after 11 a.m.  It will be blustery, with a high near 20 degrees, but the wind chill values can be as low as -5.

Because of the weather, all school districts in the area are closed on Wednesday, including Jamestown, Falconer, Frewsburg, Southwestern, Bemus Point, Randolph, Panama, Chautauqua Lake and Cassadaga Valley.

However, Jamestown Community College will be open, as well as Jamestown Business College and Fredonia State.

WNYers QUESTION TUESDAY CLOSINGS

Wednesday marks the second day in row schools in the area were cancelled, but unlike Wednesday when the decision was made at the local level by each individual district, schools across the state closed on Tuesday due to a state of emergency mandate issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The governor issued the state of emergency for all 62 counties in New York State, meaning only state workers essential to responding to the snow storm – such as highway employees and public safety officials – were to report to work. Everyone else was closed down, including state colleges and universities, as well as state government agencies. The governor also announced a tractor-trailer ban on the state Thruway and other major highways across New York state, including Interstate 86-and Route 17 across the Southern Tier.

Most public school districts in Western New York also heeded the governor’s call, and cancelled classes for Tuesday.

The governor’s decision to declare a state of emergency for the entire state, including Western New York, resulted in criticism from residents and elected officials. Western New York is accustomed to dealing with large snow fall and by comparison to the eastern portion of the state, our region actually received less snow fall. In fact, by mid-afternoon Tuesday, only about half a foot of snow had fallen in Buffalo.

According to Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Albany has declared a state of emergency before, but never to the extreme of shutting down all of state government. Poloncarz told the Buffalo News that normally, the declaration simply gives the governor more power to move plows and heavy equipment to areas that need them.

“Let’s show some backbone, folks,” Poloncarz tweeted early Tuesday in response to the mandated closings.

The declaration came Monday afternoon – ahead of the extreme winter storm that was expected to bring as much as two feet of snowfall and high winds to several regions of the state. The Governor also directed non-essential state employees impacted by the winter storm to stay home from work on Tuesday without having to charge accruals.

As a result of the declaration, all public schools and colleges in Chautauqua County are closed for Tuesday.

The governor said that New Yorkers should exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel and pay close attention to winter storm advisories as the day progresses.

Chautauqua County remains under a Winter Storm Warning until 8 p.m. Wednesday, with 2-4 inches of snow expected for Tuesday, another 1-3 inches is expected for Tuesday night, and 1-2 inches could fall on Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service, anywhere between 12 to 24 inches of snow is anticipated in the Western New York, Finger Lakes, and Central New York regions through Wednesday night. The heaviest snow accumulations are expected in the south and east of the Capital Region, the Mohawk Valley, and the Mid-Hudson Valley region.

The impact of the state of emergency will be felt most in the New York City metro area, where MTA express subway service will be suspended after the rush hour Tuesday. Above-ground service on the subway has already been suspended, starting at 4 a.m. Tuesday. The storm was expected to dump 1 to 2 feet of snow on the New York City metro area with wind gusts of up to 55 mph.

The storm isn’t just impacting New York State, but most of the states in the Northeast United States, where it has prompted flight cancellations, school closures and warnings to stay off the roads.

The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont.

The weather service’s office near Philadelphia called the storm “life-threatening” and warned people to “shelter in place.” Coastal flood warnings were in effect from Massachusetts to Delaware.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties, running from 8 p.m. Monday until 8 p.m. Wednesday. During that period, the area will see moderate to heavy snow at times, along with blowing snow.

Although the Highest amounts of snow will be expected along the lake shore region of the county, Jamestown is also expected to get its fair share of snow. For the county, accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are being predicted for Monday night; 3 to 5 inches for Tuesday during the day; 3 to 6 inches for Tuesday night; and 1 to 3 inches for Wednesday – leading to storm totals ranging anywhere between 9 to 17 inches.

Forecasters say the Heavy snow and blowing snow could produce very difficult driving conditions with very poor visibility and deep snow cover on roads. Motorists are urged to use caution and take their time getting to and from their destination.

NOR’EASTER TO HIT EASTERN NY

This week’s winter storm is also expected to create problems across the state. As a result, Governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday announced actions being taken to prepare and respond to the strong Nor’easter.  The New York State Emergency Operations Center will be activated beginning Monday night, and the Governor has also directed state agencies to be on heightened alert in advance of the storm and prepared to deploy personnel and state stockpile resources – including sandbags, generators and pumps – as needed.

The Nor’easter is predicted to bring over a foot of snow to the Capital Region, Mid-Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island regions. The latest forecasts anticipate blizzard like conditions in those regions of the state for the Tuesday morning commute, and commuters are urged to drive with caution.