WeatherFanatics: Buffalo Area May Ring in New Year With Blizzard Conditions

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Buffalo Area May Ring in New Year With Blizzard Conditions

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist

December 30,2014; 8:52PM,EST

Plunging temperatures, strong winds and lake-effect snow can lead to blizzard conditions in parts of western and upstate New York on New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.
A flow of cold air from the west and southwest across lakes Erie and Ontario will cause bands of heavy snow to ramp up beginning on Wednesday.
According to AccuWeather.com Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams, "Strong cold winds and snow-filled air are likely in Buffalo for the start of the new year."

Areas near Watertown, New York, will also be hit with heavy lake-effect snow.
This flow will reach a peak during Wednesday evening into New Year's morning and has the potential to unload a foot of snow or more in areas where the bands of lake effect persist. Gusts may top 40 mph.
New Year's Eve revelers should be prepared for the snow, wind and cold. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will plunge into the single digits to near zero F at times Wednesday evening.
RELATED:
Detailed AccuWeather Forecast for Buffalo, NY
AccuWeather Minute-by-Minute Forecast for Buffalo, NY
Western New York Interactive Radar
While the lake-effect event will not be as long-lasting, nor as heavy as that of November, it could be intense for brief periods with whiteout conditions along part of the New York Thruway and Interstate 81.
Motorists traveling on area highways at this time in the rapidly deteriorating weather conditions will run the risk of getting stuck and spending the holiday in their vehicles.
Travel conditions will generally improve on Friday with the best conditions forecast Friday night into Saturday, ahead of a large-scale winter storm forecast to impact the Midwest and East later in the weekend.

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