Bruce Convisor

Farther west, buffalo should be spared the worst of the storms, but nearby communities such as Orchard Park could receive 1 to 3 feet of snow.

The winter storm warning there is in effect through very early Friday.

For NPR News, I'm Bruce Kahnweiser in New York.

Lake effect snows are common for communities south and east of the Great Lakes, Ontario, and Erie.

Wind-driven snows blowing into northern New York from Lake Ontario are expected to pound the region with two to four feet of snow, and forecasters add some places could receive more.

The heavy snow will be whipped up by driving winds gusting to 40 miles per hour.

That creates the potential for whiteout conditions.

Some communities have already received more than 20 inches of snow.

The winter storm warning is in effect through Saturday morning.

Farther west, buffalo should be spared the worst of the storms, but nearby communities such as Orchard Park could receive one to three feet of snow.

The winter storm warning there is in effect through very early Friday.

For NPR News, I'm Bruce Convisor in New York.

The forecast called for 5 to 9 inches of snow here in the city and across a large swath of New Jersey.

But warm air from the Atlantic Ocean pushed into the upper atmosphere, causing a mix of sleet and snow.

That depressed snow totals here on the ground.

Still, more than 4 inches was recorded in Central Park, making it one of the most significant snowstorms to hit the city in recent years.

The storm pushed out to sea early Saturday.

Heavier snow amounts, in line with forecasters' predictions, did fall upstate.

For NPR News, I'm Bruce Convisor in New York.

The forecast called for 5 to 9 inches of snow here in the city and across a large swath of New Jersey, but warm air from the Atlantic Ocean pushed into the upper atmosphere, causing a mix of sleet and snow.