Strong winds and cold temperatures may also create concerns for those relying on heating that could be disrupted by power outages.

Snowfall will be heaviest in the NWS Buffalo forecast region, with 8 to 17 inches expected. Meteorologists anticipate that the greatest amounts will be across the Tug Hill and western Adirondack foothills. Strong winds gusting as high as 35 mph could contribute to blowing and drifting snow, making travel even more treacherous.

The National Weather Service has issued the watch for Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Genesee, Wyoming, and Chautauqua counties.

See snowfall projections by day. The map below shows the probability that an area could receive more than 4 inches of snow in the U.S. See New York projections.

The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.Drivers in Buffalo, New York faced blinding conditions on the roads Monday night, as snow squalls whipped through the area. The intense burst of snowfall, combined with powerful winds that howled as snow plows tried to keep the roads clear.

A clipper storm, as defined by the National Weather Service, is a fast-moving storm that drops into the U.S. over the Great Lakes from Alberta, Canada. As of 4:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Dave Dombek, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, revealed that snow is already falling upstate and would continue to do so through Wednesday evening.

As of early Tuesday in the Rochester region, Wyoming County saw the most snow Monday, with 7 inches of snow measured in Warsaw, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo. Elsewhere in New York - parts of Lewis County saw one foot of snow and Jefferson County saw 9 inches.

A high wind warning covering Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming and Chautauqua counties went into effect at 7 a.m. and runs through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Orchard Park, N.Y. ― The weather forecast for the Buffalo Bills-Balitmore Ravens game Sunday evening is for bitter temperatures and some light snow.

All three outdoor playoff games will be played in freezing or near-freezing temperatures on divisional weekend, though it's fair to question whether that puts the Bills at a true advantage. The Ravens have experience playing in the cold as well, and they have no problem running the ball early and often to win games.

A winter weather advisory from the Weather Service at the same time predicts 3 to 7 inches of snow in Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, Orleans, Erie and Niagara counties, 4 to 8 inches of snow in Wayne and Cayuga counties and 5 to 9 inches of snow in Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counties.