Staggering Totals: Another Massive Storm Dumps Feet Of Snow In NY

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...in Western and Northern New York anyway.

Nearly three feet of snow has fallen in parts of the state, on top of the feet that fell during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Here are the snow totals, so far, from the National Weather Service. The town of Eden in Erie County has the honor of having the most snow this time around.

Erie County

Orchard Park - 38.0 in
Eden - 35.0 in
Elma Center - 34.7 in
Hamburg - 33.0 in
East Aurora - 24.5 in
West Falls - 24.5 in
Lancaster - 22.0 in
Alden - 20.9 in
Colden - 20.1 in

The Buffalo Bills canceled practice and held virtual zoom meetings instead on Thursday, December 12 due to the snow and gusty winds causing whiteout conditions.

Genesee County

Darien Center - 18.0

Wyoming County

Attica - 27.0 in
Warsaw - 28.5 in

Lewis County

Copenhagen - 25.2 in
Highmarket - 14.8 in

Jefferson County

Adams - 24.0 in
Deferiet - 10.5 in
Black River - 9.8 in
Watertown - 8.5 in

Interstate 81 was closed due to whiteout conditions and several accidents on Thursday and more snow is on the way today.

Travel Restrictions

The New York State Thruway has implemented a tandem and empty tractor trailer ban in both directions from Exit 53 to the Pennsylvania state line.

I-90 isn't the only highway with travel restrictions in place. The New York Department of Transportation has more.

NY Route 5 from NY 179 to I-190 (Erie County)
US 219 from I-90 to I-86 (Erie and Cattaraugus Counties
NY Route 400 from I-90 to NY 16 (Erie County)
I-86 from US 219 to PA Line (Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties)

Check Road Conditions

You can check road conditions before you leave the house.

Get all the information and check out cameras along your route anywhere in New York, anytime at 511NY.org. You can even sign up to have travel alerts sent right to your phone.

There's also a new real-time road condition tracking system on I-90 that provides instant updates on everything from snow-packed roads and icy patches to snow plow locations.

Driving Tips

If you do have to travel during a winter storm keep these driving tips in mind.

Check the latest weather forecast before leaving
Keep a full tank of gas
Check fluid levels (windshield washer fluid, ant-freeze)
Have a spare tire, jack, and wheel wrench
Don't use cruise control. This decreases your reaction time to brake
Be aware of maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles. Don't crowd the plow
If you do not have to go out on the roads, then don’t

Simple Winter Driving Tips Some Boneheads Forget Every Year

It happens every time it snows. People seem to forget how to drive in winter weather, even in Central and Upstate New York. Here are a few simple tips to make it safer for you and everyone else on the road.

Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams

Vehicle Necessities

Make sure your vehicle is filled with winter necessities before heading out. Stock the truck to help you to be safe in case you get stranded.

Gloves, blankets, warmers, tool kit, first-aid kit, non-perishable foods, water, working flashlight and batteries, cell phone charger
Shovel, ice scraper, de-icer, snow brush, rock salt or cat litter, tow chain or cable, jumper cables or battery charger