JAMESTOWN – The National Weather Service maintains the Winter Storm Warning for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Southern Erie, and Wyoming Counties until 2:00 AM Thursday morning.
As expected, wraparound snow from this Nor’easter has been impacting the region over the past 24 or so hours.
We’ve also seen connections to the lakes for snow enhancement, which has been mostly noted along higher terrain of the Chautauqua Ridge and Boston Hills.
Some areas have seen upwards of 8 inches in spots, with more accumulating snow this afternoon and evening.
It appears that as we go throughout the late afternoon and evening hours, the heaviest of the snow will begin to taper from west to east.
Snow will continue through Friday in lighter form, mainly in the nuisance-type variety, with around an inch or two of snowfall expected each day.
As for today, we will likely add additional snow totals of 2 to 5 inches on average. However, higher terrain will likely see upwards of an additional 4 to 8 inches, as Lake Erie enhancement will bump up totals there.
Looking past today, there are not any “true” signs of Spring anywhere for the foreseeable future. While we may rise into the lower 40s on Sunday, which is around average for this time of year, the rejoice will be short, as the winter chills comes back for early next week.
First Defense Forecast:
Today: Blowing and drifting, moderate to heavy snow at times. Tapering west to east in the late afternoon to lighter snow showers. A cold and raw day, with highs ranging from 24 in the valleys, to 29 at the lakeshore. A healthy west wind averaging 14 to 25 MPH, with winds gusts 30+ MPH. Chance of snow 100%. Average additional snow accumulation of 2 to 5 inches likely; higher amounts on the hills.
Tonight: Moderate to heavy snow tapers west to east. Lighter snow showers will remain otherwise, mostly cloudy and chilly. Lows 16 to 20. West wind 12 to 18 MPH. Chance of snow 70%. Average accumulation of 1 to 2 inches, with locally higher totals on the hills.
Thursday: Scattered snow showers, especially in the afternoon. Highs 30 to 35. West to Southwest wind of 9 to 16 MPH. Chance of snow 80%.1 to 2 inches of new snow accumulation.
Friday: Scattered snow showers. High 30. Chance of snow 70%
Saturday: Partly to mostly sunny. High 35.
Sunday: Mostly sunny and around around average. High 41.
Monday: Mostly sunny, but colder again. High 34.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Chance for a snow shower or flurry. High 31. Chance of snow 20%.
