Overview:
Buffalo’s weather reputation is highly exaggerated, due mainly to its propensity for localized heavy lake-effect snowstorms in late fall and early winter. Summers, on the other hand, are among the most pleasant in the Northeast.
Winters, in general, are cloudy, cold, and snowy, but include frequent thaws and rain. Snow covers the ground more often than not, but periods of bare ground are not uncommon. Over half of the annual snowfall comes from the “Lake-effect” process and is very localized, also modifying any extreme cold coming towards the region. The ice on Lake Erie does not usually disappear until mid-April and remains chilly through most of May. Areas near the lake are often cooler than inland locations, also acting as a strong stabilizing influence so the area experiences fewer thunderstorms and more sunshine. Summertime temperatures are warm but seldom hot. Rainfall is adequate, and Lake Erie also moderates the most extreme heat approaching from the Ohio Valley. There usually are periods of uncomfortably warm temperatures in an average summer, but 90ºF readings are relatively rare. Autumn is pleasant and tame, but brief. The first frosts can be expected from late September to mid-October. The first measurable snows can be expected in mid to late November, but ground cover is sporadic until mid-December. Many of Buffalo’s large snowstorms however occur in late November to early December.
State/ Province ID: NY
Station ID: W00014733
Directory Name: BUFFALO_HCN_NY_W00014733
Elevation: 211.20m
Climatology PDF: Array