Major WSSI Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday at 7:00 a.m.

The Winter Storm Severity Index has reached the major stage in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wayne, Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Madison Counties for Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday at 7:00 a.m. Expect considerable disruptions to daily life as there will be dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure that may occur. 

Snowfall will begin in your area today. 18-24″ inches of snow is expected with snowfall rates of 1-2″ inches per hour at times, at times reaching 3″ per hour. Whiteout conditions are expected with low visibility because of high winds and lake effect snow bands. 

• Avoid travel if possible. Expect delays and closures. If you can’t avoid traveling: clean off your vehicle before driving, drive slow and don’t use cruise control, leave extra distance between vehicles, and don’t crowd the plows. Roads can be slick even if they just look wet. 
• Practice safe shoveling: dress warmly, stay hydrated, move only small amounts of snow, and take frequent breaks. 
• If you are stranded in a vehicle, avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by running the motor for 10 minutes every hour. While your car is running, open the windows slightly for fresh air. Keep your exhaust pipe clear of snow. 
• Tips to operate generators safely: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/generator 

For more safety tips visit: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/winter 

Continue monitoring updates to the forecast via local media or your nearest National Weather Service Office by visiting www.weather.gov and search for your zip code.