Forecasters are predicting significant snowfall across New York, with areas like Watertown expecting 4 to 6 feet through Monday, while regions south of Buffalo could receive 2 to 3 feet due to lake-effect snow.

In response to the severe weather, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a disaster emergency for the affected counties, enabling the mobilization of state resources.

The first major snowfall of the season is impacting Black Friday shopping in New York, creating hazardous travel conditions for shoppers and travelers alike.

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is closely monitoring the storm and coordinating emergency responses, ready to deploy resources as necessary.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz indicated that while conditions will be challenging, the heaviest snowfall is expected to end before the Buffalo Bills' game against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Buffalo Bills are preparing for their game amid expectations of over 2 feet of snow, calling for volunteers to help clear snow at Highmark Stadium ahead of kickoff.

To address the storm, the New York State Department of Transportation has implemented a commercial vehicle ban on certain routes and is deploying over 3,500 personnel for continuous snow removal operations.

Erie County Public Works Commissioner William Geary noted that the lake's unusually warm temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit is contributing to the heavy snowfall, with more expected in the coming weeks.

Deteriorating weather conditions have led to closures on Interstate 90 and restrictions on commercial vehicles along Interstate 86 and state Route 219, starting Friday afternoon.

Erie County officials reported numerous vehicles off the road, prompting the deployment of ATVs and snowmobiles to assist first responders in the challenging conditions.

Meteorologists have warned that gusty winds near the Great Lakes are reducing visibility, making travel particularly challenging, although no major accidents have been reported so far.

Utilities across New York have approximately 5,849 workers on standby for damage assessment and restoration efforts, with additional crews secured to address storm impacts.