Human Interest

'Life-Threatening' Storm Could Bring Up to 5 Feet of Snow and Whiteout Conditions to N.Y.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a state of emergency for 11 counties near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario ahead of the storm

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Published on November 18, 2022 12:57PM EST

Person crosses Ellicott Street as snow falls, in Buffalo, N.Y. A dangerous lake-effect snowstorm paralyzed parts of western and northern New York, with nearly 2 feet of snow already on the ground in some places and possibly much more on the way — Photo: Joshua Bessex/AP/Shutterstock

A massive snowstorm is tearing across the Great Lakes region — and could result in "potentially historic snowfall" for parts of New York.

"Periods of heavy lake-effect snow" are expected to impact the region through Sunday, with snowfall rates reaching three inches per hour east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, according to the National Weather Service.

The "widespread" lake-effect snow has been accompanied by strong winds and occasional lightning — or thunder snow — as predicted by the NWS.

Snow totals are expected to range from one to three feet in most areas, the NWS said. However, the one band could drop as much as five feet of snow in areas from South Buffalo to Lancaster, N.Y., as it sits atop the region on Friday, according to The Buffalo News.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a state of emergency for 11 counties near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario ahead of the storm.

"This is a life-threatening storm," Hochul said at a news conference, per NBC News.

Cars drive along Ellicott Street as snow falls, in Buffalo, N.Y. A dangerous lake-effect snowstorm paralyzed parts of western and northern New York, with nearly 2 feet of snow already on the ground in some places and possibly much more on the way — Joshua Bessex/AP/Shutterstock

Snow began to fall in many areas later Thursday evening, and intensified through early Friday. The most intense snowfall is expected on Friday, according to the NWS.

Some areas — including Genesee, Jefferson and Northern Erie counties — are under a lake-effect snow warning through 1 a.m. on Sunday, the NWS said. In Niagara and Southwestern St. Lawrence counties, the warning will remain in effect through 7 a.m. on Sunday.

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The NWS warned that travel would be "very difficult to impossible" in many areas, with "hazardous conditions" impacting the region through Friday evening's commute.

Person walks through downtown in the snow, in Buffalo, N.Y. A dangerous lake-effect snowstorm paralyzed parts of western and northern New York, with nearly 2 feet of snow already on the ground in some places and possibly much more on the way — Joshua Bessex/AP/Shutterstock

As of Friday morning, numerous locations throughout Erie County have already recorded at least two feet of snow, NWS reported. Some locations, like Orchard Park and Hamburg, have recorded nearly three feet.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz confirmed on Twitter that Hamburg District plow drivers reported "up to 30 [inches] of snow" in parts of Hamburg and Orchard Park, as well as Lackawanna.

Power outages have been reported throughout Erie County, "including a significant power outage affecting the Town and Village of Orchard Park," Poloncarz said on Twitter.

As of midday Friday, there are nearly 7,300 customers without power in New York and 1,300 in Michigan, according to PowerOutage.us.