Winds pack potent punch in WNY

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) - The weather in western New York is packing a potent punch Thursday, with wind, rain, snow and cold temperatures. In the included photo, you can see wind damage at a barn in Ellicottville. No one was injured in the incident.

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  >>  PHOTOS | See damage from the strong winds in WNY

The winds were strong overnight, and will continue throughout Thursday. A High Wind Warning is in effect for Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus Counties until 4 p.m. Thursday.  Winds will be sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 55 mph during the warning period.  

There is a Wind Advisory for McKean and Potter Counties until noon and Wyoming and Allegany Counties until 4 p.m. Thursday.  Winds will be sustained at 20 to 35 mph with gusts potentially over 50 mph during the advisory time period.

Lake Effect Snow Warning for south Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties from 10 a.m. Thursday until 6 p.m.  Expect storm totals of 8 to 12 inches, with isolated amounts of 18" in the most persistent lake snows during the warning period.  

There is a Lake Effect Snow Advisory for McKean County until midnight Friday.  Storm totals of 3-5” of snow are possible in the most persistent snow bands during this time period.

  >>  For the latest weather information, get the latest forecast from 4 Warn Weather

At the shoreline in Hamburg Thursday morning, there is not a lot of snow and rain but it is extremely windy.   Watch the included video, to see the impact of the wind on Route 5 early Thursday.

If you, friends or family have travel plans Thursday and need airport status information, you can check out all the incoming and outgoing flight information at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport on WIVB.com.