National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in the Buffalo, New York, office warn that an incoming winter storm could produce lake effect snow significant enough to close some major roadways this weekend.
The winter storm will likely hit as some people are readying to head home after Thanksgiving. Nearly 80 million Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, the AAA reported.
Some New Yorkers who traveled for the holiday could encounter road closures on their drive back as inclement weather arrives this weekend.
"The potential exists for a significant long duration lake effect snow event. There is considerable uncertainty in exact band placement and amounts, but multiple periods of heavy snow are possible," NWS Buffalo said in a winter storm watch, which will go into effect Friday night and last through Monday morning.
"Travel could be very difficult to impossible with very poor visibility and deep snow cover on roads. Some major roadways could temporarily close," the office said.
The winter storm watch is in effect for the cities of Warsaw, Jamestown, Olean, Orchard Park, Springville, Oswego, Watertown and Lowville.
An NWS map shows that Interstates 81 and 86 both run through the areas expecting winter impacts this weekend. However, NWS meteorologist David Thomas told Newsweek that it's too soon to tell which roads might be affected. Snowfall rates could be over 2 inches per hour, which is beyond what the snowplows are equipped to handle, he said. If rates were to hit that level, roads might become buried in snow quickly.
"Narrow bands of heavy snow could bring rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities. Localized travel problems will be possible," the winter storm watch said. "During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions."
Lake effect snow can produce 3 inches or more of snow per hour, the NWS said. Thomas said as much as 7 inches of snow could fall during the event, but the forecast is still uncertain.
New York state's Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) also shared the forecast and warned drivers to remain wary ahead of weekend travel.
"Keep an eye on the weather NY!" NYSDOT posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. "We're watching a storm that could impact Thanksgiving Day travel followed by the potential for weekend lake effect snow for areas South of Buffalo & the Tug Hill Region. Remember to check http://511NY.org for the latest travel conditions."
Parts of Minnesota and Michigan also are expecting lake effect snow, though it will hit Tuesday and into Wednesday, potentially disrupting pre-Thanksgiving travel in those areas.
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