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Erie County issues a travel advisory as major winter storm approaches - WGRZ

By Tommy Gallagher (WGRZ)

Jan 18 2026 22:53

To stream WGRZ on your phone, you need the WGRZ app. Next up in 5 Example video title will go here for this video Next up in 5 Example video title will go here for this video BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County is now under a Travel Advisory as Western New York braces for a storm that's expected to impact the region through Wednesday. The Buffalo Skyway is also closed until 2pm Monday. That announcement to issue the Travel Advisory was made Sunday evening during a news conference in downtown Buffalo that included Erie County Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, and both county and city commissioners. "We are fortunate that schools and businesses are closed (Monday) to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, that will help greatly in removing the snow process," Chimera said. Ryan urged Buffalo residents to move their cars in anticipation of Monday's alternate side street parking, in an attempt to help plow drivers clear city streets. Trash and recycling collection will also continue as scheduled. Ryan said there are 40 pieces of equipment ready, more than 2,000 tons of salt on hand, and over 20 Department of Public Works crews ready to help. He added that there are over 20 contractors available, with over 1,000 pieces of equipment, should more help be required with this weather event. It's not just going to be Erie County dealing with significant wintry weather to start the work week. A Travel Advisory has also been issued for all of Wyoming County until further notice. A Travel Advisory has been issued for all of Genesee County until further notice. A Travel Advisory has been issued for the Village of Fredonia and Town of Pomfret beginning at 6pm Monday until 6pm Wednesday due to the weather. A Travel Advisory has been issued for the City of Dunkirk until further notice.  A Travel Advisory has been issued for the City of North Tonawanda until 12 am, residents are asked to avoid unnecessary travel. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Niagara, Northern Erie, Orleans, and Genesee counties from 1 p.m. Sunday until 4 p.m. Wednesday, and from 7 a.m. Monday until 3 p.m. Wednesday for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, and Southern Erie counties. Roughly 10 to 20 inches of snow could be possible in the areas where the heaviest bands of snow set up, with locally higher amounts possible. Plan for difficult travel Monday and Tuesday. In addition to the heavy snow, temperatures will be very cold heading into next week with the coldest air of the season so far expected on Tuesday as wind chill values could fall to between 10 and 20 below zero.