Can New York state get a break when it comes to the winter weather? Depending on which part of the state you live in, the answer may vary. For much of Western New York, Mother Nature's rebuttal this week was a resounding no.

Our Kevin Hayes takes us through a tumultuous second round of lake-effect in under a week.

“We're urging all of our residents to use caution and go slow when they're on the roads,” said Nate Marton, Buffalo Department of Public Works commissioner.

Marton on Wednesday morning put the word out there. Most of Western New York was listening, but many were already over it, being pounded by another lake-effect snow machine. 

“Well, it's ironic that, you know, around Christmas it was 65, 70 degrees almost. And now it's [snowing]. It mirrors last year, truly,” said Jeff Sparlie of Buffalo.

Sparlie and Evie Redoubt were making their way down the street for some much-needed groceries between snowfalls, thinking of some of the things that have been improved since last winter.

“I was told that there's actually a few shelters nearby, like heating shelters,” he said. “I'm not quite sure what it might be like, a parking garage with some heaters in it, but even anything like that.”

Officials say three people have died due to weather-related issues since Monday. Putting in the effort, though, are municipalities and larger organizations like schools, which are both doing what they can to keep people safe. 

“I feel like it's definitely good that they're taking that and not allowing students in school,” said Redoubt. “It's good to be safe, to avoid traveling.”

And knowing that nobody controls the weather, those out braving it for just a bit appreciate the effort.

“It's definitely showing that, especially the city of Buffalo, cares a little more in terms of, I mean, hopefully this isn't a, you know, a yearly thing where you have to deal with blizzards ... I would be disappointed, but not surprised,” said Sparlie.

Of course, this year, compared to the storms that we saw last year, maybe strung together a little bit more — but nothing as intense as the region saw last year. And people around town who have been able to get what they need to done in their local communities say there's been some real lessons learned. 

“I think growing up in Buffalo, you kind of get used to this and we were just kind of waiting for it to happen this year and now it's here,” said Nick Dipalma of Buffalo.

Aside from a postponed Bils game over the weekend and a Sabres game pushed back a day, guys like Nick Dipalma see communities doing the right thing.

“People either listened or prepared ahead and maybe the people who plow got at it a little bit earlier,” he said. “I drove; I had to drive somewhere today and it was a lot easier than it was last year, obviously. So I think they've done a pretty decent job with it.”

Of course there were some people out on the roads who shouldn't have been, but most understood why so much word went out against it. 

And if you ask Ronald Blackwell, who got let go from work early to get himself and his bike home safely...

“I've been walking for like a couple of hours so far,” he said, “It’s cold, but I'm not cold, per se,” he said.

It's been a rough week or so, but — that's Buffalo.

“It's good that we're taking it more seriously and everyone's being very proactive,” said Redoubt. 

“Ready or not, here it comes,” said Blackwell. “So we have to bear down and shovel out when it's all done. And when we get more snow, we’ll do more of the same.”