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Blizzard warning for PA, near-blizzard conditions forecast for New York. Track the storm

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Blizzard warning for PA, near-blizzard conditions forecast for New York. Track the storm

Heavy lake-effect snow is forecast for upstate New York through early Friday, with Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties potentially seeing up to 20 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

Winter storm warnings are in place across New York as snow squalls move through the region. Accumulations will vary by location, with the heaviest snowfall expected near the Great Lakes.

NWS meteorologist Dan Kelly reported that snow squalls began Wednesday evening, with additional rounds Thursday morning and throughout the day.

Blizzard warning issued in Pennsylvania: How much snow will fall?

A blizzard warning is in effect for northwestern Pennsylvania, where whipping winds could combine with up to 18-20 inches of additional snow. The warning remains active until 1 a.m. Saturday.

In Erie County, Pennsylvania, accumulations are expected to range from 10-18 inches north of Interstate 90 to 12-20 inches south of the highway, with locally higher amounts. Winds may gust up to 60 mph north of the Thruway and 50 mph to the south, particularly Thursday morning.

Blizzard conditions are defined as snow or blowing snow combined with winds exceeding 35 mph, reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile for at least three hours. These conditions could lead to dangerous whiteouts and significant blowing and drifting snow.

In New York, near-blizzard conditions are expected Thursday in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, particularly along the Thruway between the state line and Exit 57 (Hamburg).

Travel in Erie County, Pennsylvania, is expected to be “treacherous, impossible, and potentially life-threatening,” the NWS warned, urging motorists to avoid travel in affected areas.

NY snowfall totals by region

  • Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties: Total snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible in the most persistent lake effect snow bands.
  • Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties: Total snow accumulations of 10 to 18 inches are possible in the most persistent lake snows. Roughly 4 to 8 inches of snow is predicted in the lower elevations.
  • Northern Oneida County: Total snow accumulations between 8 and 16 inches.
  • Herkimer, Hamilton and northern Fulton counties: 6 to 14 inches of snow predicted.
  • Wyoming and southern Erie counties: Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches is expected in the most persistent lake effect snow bands.
  • Allegany County: Total snow accumulations 5 to 10 inches across higher elevations and 4 to 7 inches elsewhere.
  • Onondaga, Madison, southern Oneida, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego counties: Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches.
  • Niagara, Orleans, northern Erie and Genesee counties: Total snow accumulations 3 to 7 inches
  • Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Livingston and Ontario counties: Total snow accumulations 2 to 5 inches.
  • Seneca, Yates, southern Cayuga, Steuben, Tompkins and Broome counties: Total snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches.
  • Delaware and Sullivan counties: Total snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches.

For a complete list of warning, advisories and the latest snow projections, check here.

Travel conditions during winter snowstorm

Travel conditions could become hazardous, with poor visibility, deep snow on roads, and potential closures of major roadways.

Snow forecast map: See snowfall projections by day

The map below shows the probability that an area could receive more than 4 inches of snow in the U.S. See New York projections. Use the slider at the top left to toggle by day.

Weather warnings and watches around New York and the U.S.

National Weather Service radar: Track the storm

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