South of the city? (Buffalo, Syracuse: ski resorts, move to, car)

[TCMaster]

I am going to be visiting my cousin on new years day, and I am wondering if the town of Orchard Park gets a lot of snow relative to the city, because I don't have snow tires yet, and I don't want to get stuck... I have been watching the weather forecasts for Buffalo, and they don't seem to bad, but I've heard that south of the city gets a lot more snow. The only reason I am asking this is that I am new to the Snowbelt, and I don't fancy driving in 2 feet of snow.

[MASC]

I am a "Southtowner" and don't have snow tires and have never had four wheel drive/AWD. Orchard Park often gets more snow than the city, but it certainly does not get the volume of snow that say Ellicotville gets. I think the snow you are referring to is actually a bit further South ... Boston/Colden/Springville and points South see much more snow than the city itself. Keep in mind that the snow off the lake often travels in bands, so an area just a few miles away can get quite a bit more/less snow than wherever you are located. Don't fret as the major thouroughfares are usually kept quite clean even in the midst of a storm. Enjoy your visit!

I just noticed you are from Syracuse....you should be more than fine. Syracuse gets more snow than Buffalo!!!

[TCMaster]

I did just move to Syracuse... Looks like I'll be okay though..

[MarineFromBuffalo]

Yeah don't worry about snow tires you will be fine. I bought my new car in NC and I don't have snow tires and as long as you drive carefully you won't have any problems. It takes a little time to get used to driving in snow but after some time you will get the hang of it.

[JustinH]

Orchard park is not that far south of the city.

The area that gets the snow is way way south of the city, someone else mentioned Ellicottville, NY that would be accurate.

That is where the ski resorts are.

Orchard park is a well kept suburb, the streets are usually kept in good condition, plowed and salted.

[Dockwalliper]

I've been driving Buffalo winters for 30 years and never had snow tires, just all season radials. In the last few years Syracuse has gotten more snow than Buffalo. All that aside you could get "lucky" and be here on a day that Orchard Park gets 2 feet of snow...or more. Not likely but it does happen.