Snow and strong winds will move into Western New York Sunday afternoon, potentially creating difficult travel conditions on Christmas Eve and into Christmas morning

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. Sunday until 10 a.m. Monday for Rochester, Buffalo and all points in-between.

The National Weather Service says snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches are expected by Monday morning. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. This will cause snow covered roads and limited visibility on many area roadways.

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NWS Meteorologist Aaron Reynolds says that people who are travelling outside the region should be aware that conditions could be significantly worse elsewhere.

"We're expecting heavy lake-effect snow in areas on the eastern end of Lake Ontario," Reynolds said Sunday morning.

A National Weather Service snow warning projects total snow accumulations of 3 to 4 feet in the areas of Fair Haven, Oswego and Watertown.

Travelers should, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Three to five inches of snow are expected to blanket the Rochester area Sunday night with an additional 1 to 2 inches on Monday morning.

After the snow comes bitter cold.

"Behind the snow later tonight will be strong west winds, and with it a blast of cold arctic air," Reynolds said.

Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing Sunday evening and remain in the twenties throughout Christmas Day. It will get decidedly colder Monday evening, with high temperatures remaining stuck in the teens for several days.

By Tuesday morning, the cold wind will create wind chills below zero.

"The coldest temperatures will come in the next couple of days, but it will stay cold until next week," Reynolds said.

SLAHMAN@Gannett.com