Watch Some Lake Effect Snow Blow Into Downtown Buffalo [VIDEO]

The first snowstorm of the 2022-23 winter season in Buffalo has not been a disappointment at all. Record amounts of snow have fallen in parts of Western New York and it doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon.

Officials had warned for several days that we would be measuring the snowfall from this first storm in feet, and not inches, and so far that has been accurate.

Snowfall totals throughout the region vary, from just a few inches, to well over 5 feet with some areas receiving 2 inches of snow or more falling per hour. Blasdell and Orchard Park, New York are approaching 70 inches of snow on the ground.

More Snow Is Coming

Another 12 - 24 inches is expected to fall in Buffalo and parts of the Southtowns as the lake effect snow bands start to move north along Lake Erie towards the Niagara River.

What Is Lake Effect Snow

We talk a lot about Lake Effect Snow, but what is it exactly?

According to the National Weather Service, Lake Effect Snow happens when:

...cold air, often originating from Canada, moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the unfrozen and relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes, warmth and moisture are transferred into the lowest portion of the atmosphere. The air rises, clouds form and grow into narrow band that produces 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour or more.
-National Weather Service

These lake effect bands directly lead to how you can have extremely heavy snow in one neighborhood and clear skies in another neighborhood.

Watch A Lake Effect Snow Band Blow Into Downtown Buffalo

One of the great things about our broadcast studios is that we have a great view of downtown Buffalo and Lake Erie from our offices. Check out this time-lapse video I was able to capture of a snow band blowing into downtown Buffalo.