Western and northern New York are bracing for a major lake-effect snowstorm expected to blanket the region with several feet of snow between Friday and early next week. Areas east of Lakes Erie and Ontario will face the heaviest impacts, with localized bands producing intense snowfall rates and the potential for rare thundersnow.

Syracuse, N.Y. — Heavy lake effect bands could dump several inches – and even feet – of snow in parts of Western New York and across the Tug Hill plateau today through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.