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Potentially dangerous storm moves toward Buffalo, western New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Thursday for parts of western New York ahead of a dangerous storm that could potentially dump several feet of snow on some communities on the eastern ends of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

The heaviest snowfall is expected in Buffalo, where the National Weather Service said up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) could fall in some areas through Sunday, with periods of near-zero visibility. Other areas could get 1 foot (0.3 meters) or less of snow due to lake effect, which is caused by frigid air absorbing large amounts of moisture from warmer lakes.

Hochul’s state of emergency covers 11 counties, with commercial truck traffic banned on a stretch of Interstate 90 after 4 p.m. Thursday.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz issued a driving ban starting at 9 p.m. Thursday, shortly after heavy snow punctuated by thunder and lightning hit Buffalo, quickly blanketing the ground and roads. The heaviest snowfall is expected to last through Friday night, with more expected Saturday and Sunday.

Administrators canceled Friday classes for students in Buffalo and across the county. Amtrak stations in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Depew closed Thursday and will remain closed Friday, the Buffalo News reported, while many flights to and from Buffalo Niagara International Airport have been canceled.

“I want Western New Yorkers to take this seriously,” Hochul said.

Before the storm, the NFL had also announced it would move the Buffalo Bills’ home game against the Cleveland Browns to Detroit on Sunday.

The site change means the Bills will play back-to-back games in Detroit, as they are scheduled to face the Lions on Thanksgiving.

The weather service also warned of snowfall accumulations of 2 feet (0.6 meters) or more in upstate New York, the eastern shore of Lake Ontario and parts of northern Michigan through Sunday.