Buffalo, NY (WBEN) – Old Man Winter will flip the switch back to “on” midweek across the greater Buffalo area, where a winter storm watch is now in place Wednesday afternoon through Friday.

Total snow accumulation occurred in the “watch area,” which includes all of Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties
In the most stubborn lake snow, snow depths of more than 1 foot are possible.

Additionally, wind gusts of up to 35 mph could occur, causing blowing and blowing snow.

National Weather Service forecasters say the potential lake-effect snow event will likely begin east of Lake Erie and continue through early Friday.

Forecasters say much uncertainty remains regarding the details of the forecast, including band placement, intensity and timing. There is still uncertainty about how the system will track and deepen Wednesday and Wednesday night, and this will impact the early stages of the lake effect event.

Lake Erie is expected to see accumulation of lake effect snow east of the lake. It’s too early to say more about the band’s location, but there are indications that the band could be near Buffalo at least temporarily, particularly later on Wednesday night and Thursday. It will be a few more days before more precise location and intensity details can be predicted with any degree of accuracy.

Thursday will be the coldest day in December so far, with maximum temperatures around 20 degrees at lower altitudes and around 20 degrees at higher altitudes.
Wind chills will be in the single digits at times.

WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON
* WHAT…Heavy snow with lake effect possible. In the most persistent lake snowfalls, total snow accumulations of more than 1 foot are possible.
Wind gusts could reach up to 35 miles per hour, causing blowing and blowing snow.
* WHERE…Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.
* WHEN…From Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon.
* IMPACT… Travel could be very difficult due to deep snow cover on roads and very poor visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS MEASURES…
Narrow areas of heavy snowfall could result in rapidly changing road conditions and visibility. Local travel issues will be possible.
During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from heavy snow in places with severely reduced visibility to dry conditions just a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility and road conditions.