Western New York's winter weather appears ready to live up to its severe reputation over the coming days.
A wind chill advisory has been issued for most of Western New York through 10 a.m. Tuesday. Wind chill values will dip to 15 below.
A Lake Effect Snow Warning has been issued for most areas, except Buffalo and the immediate vicinity. The warning will remain in effect through 10 a.m. Wednesday morning for Southern Erie, Wyoming, Cattaraugus, Niagara, Orleans and Chautauqua Counties.
While there's just a chance of snow showers predicted for the city, outlying areas could see six to ten inches of snow through Wednesday morning.
"This is the coldest we have been in three years," said Bill Hibbert, meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Buffalo.
A cold wave is sweeping through the region and may linger for several days.
"We're getting some real wintry weather with Lake Effect snow toward north and south," said Hibbert.
Hibbert says wind gusts of 38 miles per hour have been recorded at Dunkirk, causing white out conditions.
"Those winds are really going to be hollowing downtown. You are going to have to bundle up," said Hibbert.
A portion of the Thruway was closed near Dunkirk Monday night. Though it has re-opened, several cars and trucks remained stranded along the southern portion of the Thruway.
In metro Buffalo Monday night, streets were snowy and slick in some spots as snow fell across the area.
Snow fall amounts vary across Erie County. Collins picked up 12 inches of new snow. 9.5 inches reported in Boston and a little more than 4 in Blasdell.
