Lake Effect Snow Warning Issued In New York

The winter weather is coming to New York and the National Weather Service has upgraded its Winter Storm Watch to a Lake Effect Snow Warning for parts of the state.

The Lake Effect Snow Warning was issued for several counties along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

These counties include Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie in Western New York and Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties in Northern New York.

There could be over a foot of lake-effect snow in those areas and with gusty wind, travel in those counties could be hazardous. The Lake Effect Warning is in place until Wednesday morning.

Other parts of New York still remain under a Winter Weather Advisory. Those counties include McKean and Southern Herkimer.

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There could be up to 6 inches of snow in those areas along with white-out conditions due to gusty winds. According to the National Weather Service, Monday night will be the worst of the storm in these counties.

The heaviest snow and most significant impacts are expected Monday night into Tuesday, when snow rates may reach 1" per hour for a brief time within the
strongest snow bands. Gusty winds will also lead to blowing and drifting snow.

Along with the Lake Effect Snow warning, a gale warning was also issued for the shoreline of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The west wings could reach 35 knots and waves of 14 to 18 feet are expected which could cause issues for area docks and boats still in the water.