Buffalo blizzard causes whiteout conditions, travel bans ahead of Christmas weekend
Located on the eastern coast of Lake Erie, Buffalo is currently under a Blizzard Warning and is experiencing blinding snowfall and rising waters. Visibility had dropped to zero shortly after noon Friday.
Blizzard Warnings issued as Great Lakes snow pummels New York
Heavy and blinding snow is making its way through the Great Lakes and western New York. Several blizzard warnings have already been issued. FOX Weather correspondent Max Gorden is live in Lackawanna, New York.
BUFFALO, N.Y. – A wintry bomb cyclone that’s sweeping through the nation is now bringing whiteout blizzard conditions to Buffalo.
DEADLY CHRISTMAS WEEK BLIZZARD BECOMES BOMB CYCLONE
Located on the eastern coast of Lake Erie, Buffalo is currently under a Blizzard Warning and is experiencing blinding snowfall and rising waters. Visibility had dropped to zero shortly after noon Friday.
"All my clothing is just a sheet of ice," said FOX Weather correspondent Max Gorden, as waves crashed around him from Lake Erie in the Buffalo suburb of Hamburg.
Hamburg was evacuated due to rising waters threatening to flood the low-lying area. Waves reaching heights between 14 and 18 feet have been slamming the coastline.
"Incredible – just the power of Mother Nature," Gorden said.
FOX Weather's Max Gorden clears car covered in thick ice in Buffalo
Buffalo is currently under a Blizzard Warning and is experiencing blinding snowfall and rising waters. Visibility had dropped to zero shortly after noon Friday.
Wind is also posing a challenge for residents around Buffalo. At Buffalo International Airport, a gust of wind was measured at 72 mph. The FOX Forecast Center said winds could reach 80 to 85 mph later Friday.
Heavy lake-effect snow is also expected in the area through the weekend, with up to 4 feet predicted to fall in some parts of western New York by Christmas Day.
Lake-effect snow forecast through Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. (FOX Weather)
Combined with the strong winds, however, the snow is creating whiteout conditions. These conditions have created dangerous driving conditions, leading to a travel ban being put in place for portions of the region.
Blizzard slams Buffalo, New York
Video captures blowing snow and low visibility during a blizzard in Buffalo, New York on Friday. (Credit: @odinwondering / Twitter)
The National Weather Service in Buffalo filmed the snowy conditions to demonstrate the lack of visibility on the roads.
Because of the hazardous weather conditions, the Buffalo Airport Airfield closed on Friday afternoon and canceled all evening flights.
On Christmas Eve some drivers were stranded in the Buffalo area and first responders were using snow mobiles to get to motorists.