Driving NJ to Buffalo - 29th December- Best Route?
#16
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
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Just adding fuel to this fire:
Originally Posted by Associated Press
Dec. 8, 2010
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Lake-effect storms continue to pound parts of northwestern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, with more than 30 inches of snow falling in the Syracuse area since the weekend and forecasters calling for more snow into Thursday.
Dozens of schools in and around Syracuse are closed this morning, while state police report numerous cars off the Thruway because of driving conditions one trooper describes as "terrible." An accident involving three tractor-trailer on the Thruway just west of Syracuse closed the highway's westbound lanes for about five hours Tuesday night.
The National Weather Service says some areas in New York will get snow on and off into Thursday.
Snow totals of more than 30 inches were reported in parts of northwestern Pennsylvania and at least a couple more inches are forecast to fall Wednesday.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Lake-effect storms continue to pound parts of northwestern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, with more than 30 inches of snow falling in the Syracuse area since the weekend and forecasters calling for more snow into Thursday.
Dozens of schools in and around Syracuse are closed this morning, while state police report numerous cars off the Thruway because of driving conditions one trooper describes as "terrible." An accident involving three tractor-trailer on the Thruway just west of Syracuse closed the highway's westbound lanes for about five hours Tuesday night.
The National Weather Service says some areas in New York will get snow on and off into Thursday.
Snow totals of more than 30 inches were reported in parts of northwestern Pennsylvania and at least a couple more inches are forecast to fall Wednesday.
#17
Join Date: Sep 2009
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While agree that the 80/81/90 idea is usually best, I would not make this trip in December. I would take 80/81 to Binghamton, where I would jump on 86 West to 390 North in Bath. This will take you to 90 in Rochester, and then you only need to battle the final 50 miles of possible lake effect, which usually isn't very bad in that area.
#18
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Lake effect update - personal observation only...
I had to drive a week ago Sunday (the 5th?) from Rochester to Cleveland area during the early part of a lake effect snow warning, leaving early evening. The less maintained roads (I390, I490, which the OP would not be traveling) were not so good, but I-90 itself was, with two five minute exceptions, dry. Not relatively snow free, but dry.
I also had to drive tonight from Rochester to Allentown, PA, which means I was on the 80/380/81/90 route that was suggested for about 67% of the route the OP may be considering. Another lake effect warning was in effect, and there was a lot of snow at the house when I left around 7PM. The thruway was in good shape, however, with just a couple areas of really reduced visibility. There was enough snow on the pavement that I dropped down to between 45-60MPH between exits 44-39, then it cleared up as I got near Syracuse. The rest of the way (I-81) was relatively clear, there was snow but nothing on the ground. I stayed at the speed limit rather than my customary +5 most of the way. Overall the weather added about 20% to my drive time.
I guess the point I'm trying to get at is that the lake effect is HIGHLY variable. A lake effect warning means that certain portions of the trip may encounter some snow. If and when you do get into the snow, drop your speed and stay in the well traveled lane - changing lanes invites disaster as the snow will build up between the lanes, and the passing lane tends to remain snow covered. But, back to my personal experience, I have logged about 250K miles on the NY thruway over the past decade and have not run into a snow induced thruway closure. Yes, a certain section of the thruway closes about once a year (and already closed once this year), but the OP will not be traveling that section.
Also, remember that while lake effect snows are highly variable, storms that approach from the south and west are widespread - should the forecast call for a storm from that direction (and the weather warnings will indicate that it is not lake effect), all bets are off.
I had to drive a week ago Sunday (the 5th?) from Rochester to Cleveland area during the early part of a lake effect snow warning, leaving early evening. The less maintained roads (I390, I490, which the OP would not be traveling) were not so good, but I-90 itself was, with two five minute exceptions, dry. Not relatively snow free, but dry.
I also had to drive tonight from Rochester to Allentown, PA, which means I was on the 80/380/81/90 route that was suggested for about 67% of the route the OP may be considering. Another lake effect warning was in effect, and there was a lot of snow at the house when I left around 7PM. The thruway was in good shape, however, with just a couple areas of really reduced visibility. There was enough snow on the pavement that I dropped down to between 45-60MPH between exits 44-39, then it cleared up as I got near Syracuse. The rest of the way (I-81) was relatively clear, there was snow but nothing on the ground. I stayed at the speed limit rather than my customary +5 most of the way. Overall the weather added about 20% to my drive time.
I guess the point I'm trying to get at is that the lake effect is HIGHLY variable. A lake effect warning means that certain portions of the trip may encounter some snow. If and when you do get into the snow, drop your speed and stay in the well traveled lane - changing lanes invites disaster as the snow will build up between the lanes, and the passing lane tends to remain snow covered. But, back to my personal experience, I have logged about 250K miles on the NY thruway over the past decade and have not run into a snow induced thruway closure. Yes, a certain section of the thruway closes about once a year (and already closed once this year), but the OP will not be traveling that section.
Also, remember that while lake effect snows are highly variable, storms that approach from the south and west are widespread - should the forecast call for a storm from that direction (and the weather warnings will indicate that it is not lake effect), all bets are off.
#19
Original Poster
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Thanks for your help people - it is very much appreciated. Fingers crossed we will be ok. I will keep checking this forum and the various links that have been provided.
Thanks
Moore
Thanks
Moore
#20
Join Date: Jun 2010
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One last minor word of advice - should you wind up on the 80/380/81/690/90/290 route, the entire route is extremely easy to follow with no real trouble spots except the interchange between I-81N to I-690W. This isn't really a trouble spot if you are aware of it, though, so...
This is a left exit from I-81 that will put you into the left lane of I-690. It is a little difficult to see the traffic on I-690 as you are on the ramp, and by the time you can see traffic, the merge point, which is very short, is almost upon you. Watch for slow or stopped traffic waiting to get onto I-690, and be prepared to slow or stop yourself as you approach. It's really a bad design, IMNSHO.
This is a left exit from I-81 that will put you into the left lane of I-690. It is a little difficult to see the traffic on I-690 as you are on the ramp, and by the time you can see traffic, the merge point, which is very short, is almost upon you. Watch for slow or stopped traffic waiting to get onto I-690, and be prepared to slow or stop yourself as you approach. It's really a bad design, IMNSHO.
#21
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 5,925
Sorry to keep doing this, but I can't help myself when I see articles like this one.
And for those coming from the UK this week, let me rub a little salt in:
Originally Posted by NY Times, 22 Dec
Syracuse has met the incomprehensible. As of Tuesday, even before winter had officially begun — at 6:38 p.m. Eastern time — 71.9 inches of snow had fallen this month, making it the city’s snowiest December ever.
Originally Posted by NY Times, 22 Dec
Through all of this snow, public schools in Syracuse closed for just two days, and the airport shut down for 15 minutes.
#22
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I went to school in Rochester, have done business there and Buffalo, and have driven in snowfalls in Scotland. I think that it bears repeating that that no snow event that happens in Scotland can compare with being in the middle of a lake effect event in Western New York. So forewarned is forearmed. Good luck and "be careful out there."
#23
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Oh, the irony...
After all the talk about which routes to avoid because of the lake effect snows, the OP is now going to be primarily faced with the challenge of getting out of NJ. After that, the forecast is fine all the way through. We have no lake effect in the forecast (a dusting tonight is it), and in fact the 29th is supposed to be mostly sunny up here.
Enjoy the trip!
After all the talk about which routes to avoid because of the lake effect snows, the OP is now going to be primarily faced with the challenge of getting out of NJ. After that, the forecast is fine all the way through. We have no lake effect in the forecast (a dusting tonight is it), and in fact the 29th is supposed to be mostly sunny up here.
Enjoy the trip!
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Oh, the irony...
After all the talk about which routes to avoid because of the lake effect snows, the OP is now going to be primarily faced with the challenge of getting out of NJ. After that, the forecast is fine all the way through. We have no lake effect in the forecast (a dusting tonight is it), and in fact the 29th is supposed to be mostly sunny up here.
Enjoy the trip!
After all the talk about which routes to avoid because of the lake effect snows, the OP is now going to be primarily faced with the challenge of getting out of NJ. After that, the forecast is fine all the way through. We have no lake effect in the forecast (a dusting tonight is it), and in fact the 29th is supposed to be mostly sunny up here.
Enjoy the trip!
Thanks for everyones comments.
Moore1984