The Skyway is closed and a travel advisory is now in effect until further notice for all of Erie County, Niagara County, Orleans County, Genesee and Wyoming County.

Update: Route 5 is now closed from Route 179 in Hamburg to Delaware Ave in Buffalo. — Erie County, NY (@ErieCountyNY) January 30, 2019

Due to the deteriorating conditions in central and southern Erie County, after conferring with our @ErieCountyESU and @ECSONY1 personnel, I am issuing a travel advisory for ALL of Erie County effective immediately. There are no travel bans at this time, many advisories exist. pic.twitter.com/4RSHCLTrFv — Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) January 30, 2019

Much of Western New York is currently in the grips of a powerful winter storm that could leave snow accumulations of up to 2 feet in some areas by Thursday morning.

The entire region will see lake effect snow, blowing and drifting snow as well as dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills.

A spokesperson for the NYS DOT says due to the Skyway closure they have nine gates in the closed position which include: Route 5 at Church, Ohio/Ganson, Wilkerson Pointe roundabout, Tifft roundabout, Ridge, Route 5 mainline eastbound at Ridge, Route 5 mainline eastbound at Lake and Route 5 at Route 179.

“After consulting with various county officials, I am issuing a travel advisory for Buffalo and northern Erie County until further notice. A government’s primary responsibility ensuring the safety of the public, and the conditions we will be experiencing over the next two days are potentially life-threatening,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “We are urging residents to stay off the roads as much as possible during this winter event, for their own protection and to minimize potential problems for the Public Works and Emergency Services personnel who will be working to keep us all safe during this winter storm.”

A travel advisory for the Town of Amherst takes effect at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Supervisor Brian Kulpa issued this information:

All Town of Amherst afterschool programs are cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Amherst Senior Services-the Center is closed tomorrow due to the unsafe weather conditions for the older adults. The Erie Co

unty Stay Fit Dining program is closed; Amherst Meals on Wheels is Closed (all clients have been contacted to see if they have sufficient food and have also receive a Blizzard Box for emergency days);

ASTS / We Care has arranged for only Dialysis Transportation; Ralph Wilson Adult Day Services is also cancelled.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is cancelled for this evening

Amherst Youth programs should check with their representatives to see if they are cancelled.

Amherst Town Courts will be closed Wednesday and Thursday; staff should still report.

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster has also issued a travel advisory effective immediately. He says he will reevaluate at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

A travel advisory has also been put in place in Lackawanna, Orchard Park, the Town of Evans, Village of East Aurora, Town of Aurora and Town of Cheektowaga, officials advise no unnecessary travel.

The Village of Blasdell has issued a parking ban as of Wednesday morning, there should be no parking on Blasdell streets until 7 a.m. Friday.

Due to the weather, all State, County and City Courts in Niagara and Erie Counties are closed January 30, 2019. This includes Buffalo City Court, Lackawanna City Court, Lockport City Court, Niagara Falls City Court, North Tonawanda City Court and Tonawanda City Court.

Around 10 a.m. Wednesday it was announced Cheektowaga Courts are closed today, notices will be mailed with new court dates.

Hamburg Town Hall will close at noon Wednesday and all non-essential town government operations will close at noon as well.

For the latest 7 First Alert Most Accurate forecast, click here.

