BUFFALO, N.Y. — A winter storm is bringing heavy lake-effect snow and high winds to the Western New York area this weekend.
Here are the latest updates for Monday, January 15, 2024:
1:30 p.m.: Buffalo Public Schools, West Seneca, Frontier and Lackawanna have cancelled classes for Tuesday, January 14, 2024 as they continue to clean up from the weekend storm.
9:57a.m.: The Travel Ban will be lifted in Lackawanna at 1pm. The mayor of Lackawanna tells Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz that the main and secondary roads are good, but they're still working on some side streets. Extra equipment is being provided by the county to assist.
7:25 a.m.: Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says the travel ban for the town and village of Lancaster has been lifted. The travel ban for Cheektowaga, Sloan and Depew will be lifted at 9am. The City of Lackawanna is still under a travel/driving ban.
6:45 a.m.: NFTA officials say many flights are either delayed or cancelled coming into and leaving the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Check with your airline on the status of your flight before coming to the airport.
6:30 a.m.: Orchard Park Police Chief Pat Fitzgerald tells Channel 2 fans should not expect the same pre-game experience outside the stadium due to the all of the snow.
6:00 a.m. Effective at 6am Monday, the travel ban is lifted for most areas of Erie County, except Lackawanna, Cheektowaga and Lancaster, Depew and Sloan. All other areas are in a travel advisory
Here are the latest updates for Sunday, January 14, 2024:
9:58 p.m. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced Sunday night that the travel ban will be lifted at 6 a.m. Monday for all areas, except the City of Lackawanna and the towns of Cheektowaga and Lancaster, which also includes Depew, Lancaster and Sloan.
Poloncarz also said more people are needed to shovel multiple feet of snow near Highmark Stadium.
"Effective immediately, the county and state are hereby authorizing individuals to travel to the stadium to assist in snow removal in order to ensure the stadium is safe and clear before it opens to the public on Monday," he said.
"If any person wishes to travel to the stadium to assist in snow removal, people are directed to drive down Route 20 (Southwestern Boulevard) or Abbott Road, which are clear. The Thruway (Interstates 90 and 190), Route 219, Route 400 and Route 5 remain closed to all traffic."
9:29 p.m. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said it's "restoring limited bus and rail service in areas where it is safe to do so." It also said that it will will provide Sunday Service on Monday for MLK Day. With weather still an issue, there might be some delays with routes.
8:26 p.m. The National Weather Service says the lake effect snow band is on the move.
"The Lake Erie snowband has shifted northward this evening, now over the City of Buffalo, airport and out towards Akron. With snowfall rates of 1-2"/hr, this band will remain in place through the evening before a slow northward push late tonight with further weakening," the NWS said on social media.
5:30 p.m. Here are some of the top snowfall totals from across Western New York, according to the National Weather Service.
3 p.m. Gov. Kathy Hochul provided new updates, along with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. Hochul announced the travel ban for some northern Erie County towns has been lifted for:
- Amherst
- Grand Island
- Clarence
- Newstead
- Tonawanda
This is in addition to the following that were announced this morning.
- Colden
- Collins
- Concord
- Holland
- North Collins
- Sardinia
- Village of Springville
The remainder of Erie County, including all of Buffalo, is still under a strict travel ban, which police are enforcing.
The Southtowns, which includes Hamburg, Orchard Park, West Seneca, are currently seeing several inches of snow per hour.
Erie County Executive says those planning to go to the Bills' game on Monday should car pool, as parking could be limited due to the amount of snow on private lots.
As Mayor Brown mentioned in a previous press conference earlier, that despite a travel ban, the city police officers issued several tickets for violating the travel ban. There were also 26 property damage only accidents and three accident with injury caused by people violating the travel ban, according to Brown.
2:50 p.m. With a travel ban still in place across Erie County, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown urged residents to stay off the roads as crews worked to clear snow.
Brown, during a 2 p.m. Sunday news conference, said Buffalo Police had written 164 tickets, worth $75 each, for people who violated the travel ban. Police also responded to 26 accidents, including three that involved injuries.
Ten motorists needed help after being stranded, Brown said.
"Unless you're an essential worker, you shouldn't be a stranded motorist," Brown said.
1:54 p.m. The City of Buffalo announced that sanitation and recycling pick-up will be pushed back by one day this week as crews work to clear the roads during the travel ban. The mayor urged people not to put their totes early.
For more updates from the city, you're urged to enroll to BuffAlert by text your zip code to 38276.
8:33 a.m. NY Governor Kathy Hochul reiterates there is a travel ban for a majority of Erie County. "My top priority is to keep New Yorkers safe, and this winter storm continues to pose a life and safety risk," Governor Hochul said. "While there are some areas that are no longer experiencing whiteout conditions, much of Erie County remains unsafe for motorists. Please take precautions, monitor local forecasts and take steps to keep you and your family safe."
8:30 a.m. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says there is still a travel ban, and people cannot drive to the stadium to assist in shoveling out Highmark Stadium until after the travel ban is lifted. He said if you live near the stadium, you can walk.
8:00 a.m.: The travel ban remains in effect for most of Erie County until further notice. However, the ban has been rescinded for the following towns:
- Colden
- Collins
- Concord
- Holland
- North Collins
- Sardinia
- Village of Springville
6:51 a.m. The travel ban in Erie County is still in effect. Officials are expected to make a decision on when to lift the travel ban. The US bound side of the Peace Bridge in Buffalo is is currently closed due to the weather.
6:10 a.m. Several organizations have canceled events today. You can get the full list here: /closings.
6 a.m. The City of Lockport has issued a TRAVEL ADVISORY within the city limits until at least 6pm when conditions will be re-evaluated.
5:45 a.m. The National Weather Service says the lake effect snow bands have moved north overnight and are currently over Grand Island, Niagara, and Orleans counties. Those who are in the snow band area could see snowfall rates of 2" per hour. The band is expected to shift south last this morning.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties until 7 a.m. Monday. Per the NWS-Buffalo office: Heavy lake-effect snow and very strong winds are expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet, and possibly up to 3 feet in the most persistent lake snows. Blizzard conditions will be possible at times, especially Saturday night and Sunday. 8 to 16 inches of snow for the S. Tier counties under the warning.
There's a Winter Storm Warning for Niagara and Orleans counties until 3 p.m. Sunday, with total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. The strongest winds will be Saturday late morning into the evening. Blizzard conditions will be possible at times, especially late Saturday night and Sunday morning.