A band of lake effect snow moved north across the Buffalo Metro area around Noon Thursday (8th).  As it received the full effect of the still wide open and relatively warm waters of Lake Erie, it stalled and intensified for a few hours before continuing further north and weakening later in the afternoon.  During this time, visibilities dropped to zero along with wind gusts to 45 mph.  This created brief blizzard-like conditions while dropping a quick 2-4 inches of snow.  Luckily, this occurred between commuting times, and by the evening the band had dramatically weakened over primarily Niagara County. Following the passage of a surface trough a heavy band developed over the Niagara Peninsula around 2am, quickly moving across Niagara County, and then over the Buffalo Metro area for the remainder of the night. This portion of the event produced snow rates near 3 inches per hour during the morning commute. A portion of the New York State Thruway was closed. During Friday morning, the band moved quickly south and lost its connection to Lake Erie for several hours until a new band started to form around noon over the Western Southern Tier.  This band grew stronger throughout the day, and by the evening snow rates of three to four inches per hour were once again reported in a 15-20 mile wide swatch, this time primarily along and south of Route 20A, affecting the Southtowns and ski country.  Many area roadways remained closed. By Saturday morning, some areas in the Southtowns had received as much as 20 inches of snow, most of it occurring in about a 6 hour period.   During Saturday, the band quickly weakened as it headed quickly to the north where if finally fell completely apart by nightfall.  Specific snowfall reported included:  23 inches at Attica, 21 inches at Wyoming and Perrysburg, 20 inches at East Aurora and Boston, 19 inches at Hamburg, 13 inches at Buffalo International Airport, 12 inches at North Tonawanda, and 8 inches at Corfu and Medina.

Lake-Effect Snow in CATTARAUGUS, NEW YORK
From 08-JAN-15 22:00:00 to 10-JAN-15 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Lake-Effect Snow in NORTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 09-JAN-15 20:00:00 to 10-JAN-15 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Lake-Effect Snow in GENESEE, NEW YORK
From 08-JAN-15 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Lake-Effect Snow in SOUTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 08-JAN-15 22:00:00 to 10-JAN-15 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Lake-Effect Snow in NORTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 08-JAN-15 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Lake-Effect Snow in NIAGARA, NEW YORK
From 08-JAN-15 23:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Lake-Effect Snow in ORLEANS, NEW YORK
From 08-JAN-15 23:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Lake-Effect Snow in WYOMING, NEW YORK
From 08-JAN-15 22:00:00 to 10-JAN-15 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer