The Blizzard of 2014 is now history. Relentless lake effect snows and strong winds pounded the Buffalo region, but the Blizzard warning was lifted early Wednesday morning. Most area highways have reopened and travel bans are lifted.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tells WBFO News it's "back to normal today." But with more snow expected Wednesday, the countywide state of emergency remains in effect.
"We generally road out the storm well with regards to emergencies and injuries," noted Poloncarz. "I would like to thank the public for heeding our warnings."
All Erie County government open at 10 a.m. Wednesday. WBFO's Chris Caya talked with Poloncarz, who said the most important thing about the storm is it shows the community is prepared.
While the blizzard conditions have ended, the National Weather Service we can expect lake effect snow across the Buffalo area Wednesday.
The blizzard dumped one to two feet of snow in some areas. A record low of minus 5 tied the old record set back in 1942.
"Unfortunately, the lake effect snows will continue today," said Tony Ansuini, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
WBFO's Jay Moran talked with Ansuini about the storm and what is ahead for the region.
A lake snow advisory has been posted until 7 p.m. Wednesday with another four to seven inches possible.
The much weaker lake effect snow band is expected to shift north Wednesday afternoon before shifting back to the south in the evening.
The band is expected to dissipate Wednesday night.
Temperatures are expected to rise to the mid teens and wind chill factors will be around zero, certainly not as cold as the past couple of days.
Route 5 is closed in both directions between Ridge Road in the City of Lackawanna and Lake Avenue in the Town of Hamburg due to flooding.
The Robert Moses Pkwy reopened just before 11 a.m. Wednesday between Buffalo Ave and the LaSalle Expressway following flooding in the City of Niagara Falls caused by ice jams.
A number of schools remained closed Wednesday. Now Western New Yorkers are working to dig out from the snow fall.
Area roads and city streets are snow covered and icy. You will be well below speed in your travels.