Lake-Effect Snow Returns to Buffalo as Winter Weather Advisory Is Issued
The Buffalo metro area may receive several inches of lake-effect snow, with heavier accumulations south of the city affecting travel on Monday.
In Western New York, the calm before the storm didn't last long. After a chilly Sunday with lingering lake-effect snow across the region, a new weather system began to take shape late Sunday night, casting long shadows of expectation over Buffalo and neighboring communities. Winter wasn't ready to let go of its grip.
As Monday dawned, residents groaned at the sight of fresh snow covering lawns and sidewalks, a reoccurring symptom of lake-effect snow. The Buffalo metro area was subject to a Winter Weather Advisory from the National Weather Service, which warned of the possibility of hazardous travel conditions and the impending arrival of moderate to heavy snowfall.
This region is famous for its lake-effect snow, which is caused by the cold air blowing over Lake Erie's relatively warmer waters. That contrast pulls moisture up, generating narrow but intense bands of snow that can stack rapidly in localized areas. The snow can feel sudden and unyielding, whether you're going to work, school, or just to get some fresh air.
The advisory stated that the lake-effect band would move northward and become more intense as it crossed land as it formed in southern Erie and Cattaraugus counties on Monday morning. The heart of the Buffalo metro area, particularly the Niagara Frontier, was expected to see 2–4 inches of new snow by late afternoon — enough to impact the Monday evening commute.
Up ahead, heavier snow wasn’t out of the question either. Forecasters warned of bands that could add 4–8 inches where the snow remained the longest, south and east of the city, including Niagara Falls and the Chautauqua Ridge and Boston Hills at higher elevations. For many Buffalonians, this forecast meant another day of careful driving and early decisions about whether to stay home or head out.
School closures and delays have become almost expected during these multi-day lake storms, and every snowfall prompts fresh talk of shovels, snowblowers, and the persistent sound of plows scraping pavement.
In point of fact, previous forecasts had predicted that this most recent lake-effect storm would be one of the most significant early-season snowstorms, with snowfall totals reaching as much as 2 feet in the most persistent bands if the conditions were right. Even within Western New York, totals can vary significantly over short distances depending on where the banded snow trains linger longest. This does not mean that every neighborhood will receive two feet.
In heavier snow corridors, visibility can drop quickly as flakes swirl in bursts driven by gusty winds. A routine commute can become a slow, cautious crawl when roads, highways, and bridges — especially those that haven't been fixed overnight — glaze over in minutes. The Monday advisory advises motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary and to anticipate rapidly shifting conditions.
The snow bands were already beginning to move across radar screens by the middle of the morning. Lighter bursts were seen near the lake in some places, while persistent snow made deeper drifts a few miles inland. The heaviest bands began to move further north as the morning progressed, drawing ever closer to downtown Buffalo.
For those who live farther from the lake, the scene was more of a quiet winter day than a snowstorm — a patchwork of white and gray skies, where occasional flurries fell without much drama. But in the places where the bands tightened and the snow accumulated faster, sidewalks became slippery and cars gathered layers of soft powder.
Local officials have been urging residents to prepare for the worst and hope for the best: give yourself extra travel time, clear walkways thoroughly, and stay updated on conditions as they evolve. Even though it's a routine that every old timer is familiar with, every snow season still seems to test and sometimes surprise even the most seasoned snowmobilers.
As Monday turned into evening, the forecast suggested that the lake-effect snow would finally begin to ease, leaving behind roads covered in new snow and a reminder that winter — relentless in its rhythms — has fully returned to Western New York.
Whether you’d planned on trudging through new snow for errands or simply gazed out the window with a hot drink in hand, this second wave of lake effect was a testament to the power of the Great Lakes to shape weather — sudden, dramatic, and deeply felt across every neighborhood from Buffalo to the southern tier.
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