As significant lake-effect snow moves into the area, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday declared a state of emergency for multiple counties across western and northern New York.
This includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Jefferson, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wyoming counties.
"This gives us the ability to assist more with local snow plowing and removal of any debris or helping with any utility lines," Hochul said.
In addition to what has currently fallen, additional snow totals of three to four feet are possible in the Tug Hill and Watertown areas and two to three feet in the southern Erie County and northern Chautauqua County areas.
Lake-effect snow will continue through Monday with the heaviest snowfall occurring through early Sunday morning, and an additional period of heavy snow late Sunday night into Monday morning across parts of Western New York and the North Country. A wind shift will bring lake effect snow into the Central New York and the Mohawk Valley on Sunday and Monday. Currently four to eight inches of snow in Central New York and three to five inches in the Mohawk Valley are projected with snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour.
“As New Yorkers face this lake effect snowstorm, I urge New Yorkers in impacted regions to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel,” Hochul said. “My administration is working around the clock with our state agencies and over 100 National Guard members on the ground to support local communities. Please heed travel advisories and look out for one another. Together, we will weather this storm.”
"This is a very serious storm," Hochul said. "People have gotten a little complacent because of the fall and the winter thus far has been pretty mild. But I want everybody to take this seriously."
Multiple Lake-Effect Snow Warnings have been issues across Western New York.
A travel advisory is in place for a portion of Erie County. The Lewis County Sheriff's Office has also issued a travel advisory for all of the county until further notice due to slippery road conditions.
The governor's office says says several state agencies are monitoring the storm and are prepared to respond.
Officials are warning of possibly hazardous driving conditions from Friday through Monday due to snow-covered roads, wind gusts and possible power outages.
The New York State Thruway Authority announced Friday evening that all commercial vehicles are ban from the I-90 in both directions from Exit 46 (Rochester - Corning - I-390) to the Pennsylvania state line until further notice.
More than 100 National Guard members are staged in Western New York if needed.