More than five feet of lake-effect snow fell on western New York, closing schools in Buffalo and in other communities for several days, WGRZ-TV (NBC affiliate) reports.
5:30 pm Sat/Rad: This lake effect band is almost 250 miles long, 10 to 20 miles wide, producing snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches an hour, and showing no sign of letting up. #StormTeam2 @WGRZ #nywx
Latest radar scan can be found here: https://t.co/D7kYHDZIWq pic.twitter.com/Twf5p7GC4b
— Elyse Smith (@ElyseSmithWX) November 18, 2022
Local schools were closed for Monday—at least.
Due to the severe winter weather event this weekend, the Buffalo Public Schools will be closed on Monday, November 21, 2022. All students and staff are to remain home. Safety is our primary concern. Please stay warm and stay safe. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/jPwsjSHAeV
— Buffalo Schools (@Buffalo_Schools) November 20, 2022
The Buffalo Public Schools, responding to feedback from the community, decided to keep schools closed through Wednesday, releasing the following statement:
We’ve heard extensive feedback on our initial decision to open schools tomorrow. In fairness to our parents, staff, and community we listened to concerns shared and conducted a re- evaluation of the safety challenges facing our students, families, and staff due to the recent historic winter storm and massive snowfall.
As a result, the Buffalo Public Schools has decided to close schools and offices on Wednesday, November 23rd for all students and staff for the sake of safety.
Schools weren’t the only organizations affected by the snowstorm. Because the snow could not be removed, the NFL moved a Buffalo Bills game to another city.
The lake-effect snow kept coming for several days, resulting in snowfall records over 6 feet in some areas, CNN reported. Officials in some areas prohibited road travel.
“Thank you for just following the directions, staying off the roads, and as a result, all the major thoroughfares are open now in western New York and the north country, with some limitation,” the network quoted New York Gov Kathy Hochul as saying.
Great news! With collaboration from agencies across the state and the hard work of @NYSDOT and @NYSThruway, roads are back open in the Buffalo & Watertown areas and traffic is starting to move again! pic.twitter.com/llB0pyJxhV
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) November 20, 2022
