The San Jose Sharks remained stuck in Ottawa on Sunday, awaiting word on when they could fly into the Buffalo region hit hard by a snowstorm that’s brought high winds, freezing temperatures, and low visibility.
The Sharks originally planned to fly into Buffalo on Saturday evening right after their game with the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Center in Kanata, Ontario. But a travel ban issued for Erie County, which includes Buffalo, went into effect at 9 p.m. (EST) on Saturday as the storm — expected to bring around two feet of snow — began to bear down on Western New York.
That travel ban remained in effect Sunday for most of Erie County as crews worked to clear roads and restore power to some areas.
A large majority of flights arriving at Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Sunday had already been canceled as the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Erie, Genesee, and Wyoming counties that was to remain in effect until Monday at 7 a.m. (EST).
The Sharks, as of midday Sunday, were still scheduled to play the Buffalo Sabres on Monday at noon (EST).
Brutal near blizzard conditions continue in the Buffalo area this morning under this intense lake effect snow band. Winds still gusting to 50mph and snowfall rates of 2-3”/hr will produce whiteouts through the day. #NYwx pic.twitter.com/hEmPXNxR6O
— BuffaloSnowKing (@BuffaloSnowKing) January 14, 2024
The Buffalo-area forecast for Sunday afternoon, per the NWS, called for possible heavy snow at times, a high near 23 degrees Fahrenheit, and west winds gusting between 26 and 41 mph. The total daytime snow accumulation could be between 10 to 16 inches.
For Sunday evening, more blowing snow was expected with a low of around 12 degrees, gusts as high as 36 mph, and possibly another 3 to 7 inches of snow.
After Monday, the Sharks finish their trip Tuesday in Chicago, which is presently under a wind chill warning with a forecast high of 2 degrees in two days.
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