Western New York experienced mild weather in December, with little influx of the bitterly cold air that usually triggers lake-effect snowfall. However, as we roll through January, cooler air continues to move across the Great Lakes. Despite this, the Great Lakes still lack significant ice coverage due to the persistent warmth. This has led to more lake effect snow, including a persistent band of snow which has already dropped 3+ feet in portions of New York, with more on the way to end the weekend.

The last time portions of New York, Ohio, and Michigan were covered in feet of snow was during Thanksgiving and the following couple of weeks. Snowfall totals in New York reaching up to 40" within the past 72 hours.

Lake effect snow is expected to be light for areas outside of Lake Ontario, where a persistent band of lake effect snow will continue into Sunday evening before tapering off. Some lake effect snow will be possible into Monday in Wisconsin and Illinois. Additional lake effect snow could develop in the lower Great Lakes by Tuesday.

Light snow (1-3") can be expected for many areas along I-90, while locations just to the east could see 3-6 inches.

Keep up with the forecast as we continue to track the impacts that will come with this latest bout of lake-effect snowfall.