Winter weather on the way

Winter Weather is finally on the way, but the approaching storm will not greatly effect the traditional snow belt areas. The lake effect snow watch which takes effect tonight applies to Erie, Niagara, Wyoming and Genesee Counties. Dave Thomas is a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Cheektowaga said the metro-region will be particularly hard-hit, with the most intense snow arriving with the morning commute. "When we are heading to work tomorrow we could have snow fall rates of of an inch per hour and very poor visibility along with the snow covered roads. This being the first even of the year, the first big one winter driving skills might not be up to par and it could be a slow commute," The heaviest snow is expected to fall in Buffalo northward, into Niagara Falls and Lockport and as far east as Medina. Accumulations in the watch areas will range from 5 to 9 inches.