weather

Slick roads are predicted for later tonight in Genesee County as a new storm front moves in that is likely to first bring freezing rain.

The icy precipitation is expected to turn to rain tomorrow as the high reaches 47 and strong winds hit the region in the afternoon.

A wind advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. Monday until 5 a.m., Tuesday, with winds of 25 to 35 mph predicted and gusts up to 55 mph possible.

A rainstorm is moving in from northeast Ohio this evening, but ongoing cold temperatures here are expected to make for icy conditions overnight. Untreated roads could be very slippery.

There is a chance of snow Monday night through Tuesday.

It's still snowing and the National Weather Service predicts another one to three inches tonight for Genesee County.

Photo: Center Street about 7:45 p.m.

Batavia is getting a blanket of heavy, wet snow.

The weather service says to expect lake effect snow at about the rate of an inch an hour for the next couple of hours.

However, the radar maps indicate the heaviest of the snowfall may already have passed.

Roads are slick and a few accidents have been reported in Genesee County.

A winter storm warning remains in effect through Saturday morning.

Batavia City Schools announced that all of this afternoon's and this evening's events -- including sports -- have been canceled because of the weather.

UPDATE 3:48 p.m.: Just received this: "Due to weather conditions,The Genesee Chorale has rescheduled tonight's performance for tomorrow night. The concert will be held at St. James Church on Saturday, February 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for those who have not yet purchased them."

The forecast for the coming storm is from six to 12 inches of snow starting at 1 a.m.

The storm warning is in effect until 5 a.m., Saturday.

Travel on Friday could be difficult with a mixture of heavy snow and sleet.

Visibility could be a half mile or less.

The worst of the storm is expected to hit during the day Friday.

A winter storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Thursday through early Saturday morning with storm totals in some parts of WNY of 9 to 18 inches.

Lake effect snow is expected to fall starting Thursday night with the heaviest snowfall predicted for Friday, with up to 10 inches falling that day.

The forecast confidence is medium to high.

A lake effect snow watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Friday evening through Saturday evening.

The primary area of snowfall is expected to be Northern Erie County and Genesee County.

Six or more inches of snow is expected. Visibility will be as low as a half mile at times.

Forecast confidence, the weather service said, is "medium."

"The exact placement of the heavier snow bands still uncertain," according to the announcement.

The day started off with strong winds, a bit of snow and icy roads.

Crews were out early salting highways and law enforcement officers were dispatched to a few minor accidents, including a tractor-trailer that took out a power pole in the area of Texaco Town. Currently, some 61 National Grid customers in that area are without power.

There have also been reports of power and phone lines down in various parts of the county.

Winds are currently blowing at 25 mph with gusts up to 41 mph and strong winds are expected to continue for at least a couple more hours.

More light snow is possible.

Some snow is predicted for tonight with a light breeze.

There are currently two other power outages in Genesee County. One is in Elba and 21 customers are without power and in East Bethany, where 24 customers are without power.

In Pavilion, power should be restored by 11:30 a.m., in Elba by 10:30 a.m. In East Bethany, crews are assessing the situation.

Photo: Genesee ARC workers collect garbage in windy, 27-degree weather on Liberty Street.

A high-wind warning will be in effect from 7 tonight until 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The strongest winds are expected late tonight through early afternoon Thursday. Winds will be coming from the southwest at 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph.

Winds of this magnitude will likely bring down a few trees and possibly result in scattered power outages. Driving in high profile vehicles will be difficult, the weather service says.

It wouldn't be Western New York if the weather didn't get a little strange, and we're going to be in for a bit of a ride the next few days.

Tonight the forecast is for thunderstorms.

Tomorrow, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., there's a wind advisory with winds from the southwest at 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph -- and the possibility of thunderstorms.

By Thursday evening, snow, and possibly heavy snow, with strong winds. The forecast through Sunday is for snow and cold, with both being heavy and strong at times.

The National Weather Service reports that precipitation has changed from snow to freezing rain, making untreated roads especially slick.

More reports are coming in of cars off the roadway and a school bus having a hard time getting up Molasses Hill Road, Bethany.

Ice accumulations of several hundredths of an inch up to a tenth of an inch are expected before temperatures rise above freezing.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 1 p.m.

The weather service warns, "use extreme caution as road conditions may deteriorate rapidly and become icy with little warning."

Batavia was hit with a dusting of lake effect snow this morning.

The day started with temperatures in single digits and has since climbed to 13 degrees with a wind chill of -2.

Lake effect snow is expected to continue north of the Thruway for another 30 minutes.

More snow is expected tomorrow afternoon with temperatures remaining low through Monday, unless you consider 18 degrees high. Monday's high is expected to be 33 degrees.

Snow is predicted nearly every day over the next week, except Sunday, when it should be mostly sunny.

Press release:

If you do go out, be prepared:

1) Is your trunk supplied to help you to be safe in case you are stopped or stranded in an area without assistance readily available?

2) Stock gloves, blankets, warmers, tool kit, first-aid kit, non-perishable foods, water, working flashlight and batteries, cell phone charger, etc.;

3) Have ready a shovel, ice scraper, de-icer, snow brush, rock salt or cat litter, tow chain or cable, jumper cables or battery charger, etc.;

4) If you have an exisiting medical condition, consider having a supply of necessary medication and, if possible, let someone know you are traveling.

Be prepared. Be safe.

A cold front moving into Western New York is bringing high winds to Genesee County, with gusts up to 60 mph.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning, which is in effect until 4 p.m.

Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected.

There are at least five power outages in Genesee County right now, with the largest in Darien and Alexander, affecting 495 and 200 customers respectively. An outage in East Pembroke has 348 customers without power. There are two minor power outages reported in Batavia.

All of these outages should have power restored by 9 a.m.

Highs in the low teens are predicted for Monday through Wednesday with snow showers.

A wind advisory kicks in at 10 a.m. with gusts up to 45 mph expected.

Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph from the southwest are expected, according to the National Weather Service.

The advisory is in effect until 5 p.m.

There is a wind advisory in effect today for all of Western New York.

Winds of 20 to 35 mph are predicted with gusts up to 50 mph.

The advisory is in effect until 6 p.m.

Wind could bring down tree branches, damage power lines and it may be difficult to handle high-profile vehicles on roadways.

A power outage has been reported to Genesee County emergency dispatchers that is affecting a "large area" in the western part of the county.

The Village of Corfu is without power.

The traffic light is out at Route 77 and Route 20.

UPDATE 7:05 p.m.: National Grid has provided dispatchers with an ETA for power restoration of 10 p.m.

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: National Grid reports four outages in Darien and Corfu and 1,915 customers without power. Restoration is now predicted for 8:15 p.m.

UPDATE 7:55 p.m.: According to scanner traffic, power is back on in the Village of Corfu.

UPDATE 8:03 p.m.: Darien Fire Department had a traffic control detail at 20 and 77. Those volunteers have gone back in service.

We're in the midst of a winter weather advisory that started this morning and will last until 9 p.m.

From two to four inches of snow are predicted for today and another inch or so tonight.

With temperatures in the 20s, roads will be slick, especially on untreated roads, warns the National Weather Service.

I don't remember seeing anybody sledding last winter in Centennial Park. Today, a small crowd gathered to take in some fresh powder.

To purchase prints, click the link in the upper right of the slide show below.

Batavia demonstrated this morning that it knows how to dig out pretty quickly after getting in the neighborhood of a foot of snow overnight. By midmorning, most residents had their driveways and sidewalks cleared and a few others were just finishing up.

Above, Jack Chmielowiec, Otis Street.

Eric Haile, Summit Street.

Rick Porter, Prospect Avenue. Porter also had a request for his fellow Batavians: Please shovel your sidewalks and around your hydrants.

Leon Koukides, South Jackson Street.

Gabe Abdella, South Jackson Street.

Karen Zerbe and Bill Barton, Jackson Avenue.

Letter to the Editor:

Now that winter is fully upon us, it is important to be reminded of a few things in regards to snow removal and winter driving:

1. During and after snow events, highway agencies, in the course of plowing, receive phone calls regarding damage to mailboxes, either from snow plows directly or from the force of snow being thrown by plows.  If such damage is indeed caused by snow removal, it is not done intentionally.  It is, however, an unfortunate consequence of snow removal.  As far as the particular agencies replacing damaged mailboxes, it must be pointed out that there is no statutory or legal authority requiring them to do so.  In fact, under Section 319 of the New York State Highway Law, mailboxes are considered highway obstructions and are only “allowed” in the right-of-way as a convenience to the owner as it is understood they are required for mail delivery.  Additionally, an opinion issued by the Attorney General on February 28, 1966 stated, “When the necessity of keeping the highway open conflicts with an individual’s reception of the mail, the later must stand aside.”  Highway crews do their best to avoid mailboxes, but often times visibility, oncoming traffic and heavy snow work against them.  The best method to protect your mailbox during the winter months is to ensure it is properly attached to the post and to keep the mailbox assembly simple to limit impact surface area for plowed snow.

2. Over the last few years, the practice of plowing or depositing snow from private driveways or private property onto the highway has increased significantly, especially after roadways are cleared and snow has been pushed back behind the shoulders by highway agencies.  This is a dangerous practice and it is strictly prohibited under Section 1219 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and Section 214 of the New York State Highway Law.  Depositing snow or ice onto the roadway or shoulder may result in a serious accident and the person or persons responsible may be liable to a fine of $1000.00 per day, per occurrence for each day the occurrence remains uncorrected.  Police agencies and highway agencies will issue written warnings prior to issuing tickets.

3. “Slick Roads Cause Accident” is often a frequent newspaper headline during in the winter months.  The truth is that slick roads may contribute to an accident but they are not the sole cause of accidents.  Accidents are generally caused by drivers who fail to drive appropriately for winter conditions.  Sections 1180(a) and 1180(e) of the Vehicle and Traffic Law state that “No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.”  Accepted safe winter driving practices include, but are not limited to, slower driving, increased braking distance and increased vehicle separation.  Following these guidelines will significantly reduce your chances of being involved in an accident on slick roads.

4. Highway agencies spend a considerable amount of tax money to ensure the roads are cleared in an efficient manner after snow and ice events.  Snow removal efforts do not guarantee bare or dry roads.  The cost to provide these conditions would far outstrip what most tax payers would be willing to pay.  Even when bare roads can be obtained, weather conditions such as wind and rapidly dropping temperatures can alter highway conditions dramatically from area to the next.  The best course of action for anyone traveling during the winter months is to adjust your driving to meet the conditions present.

Please drive safe, be patient and have a Happy New Year!

Timothy J. Hens, PE
Genesee County Superintendent of Highways