Weather
Buffalo, NY Weather Today: Wet Snow, Highs Only in the 40s Oct 17
Buffalo, NY – Western New York is experiencing another taste of early winter Saturday, October 17, as scattered lake effect rain and wet snow showers move across portions of the region. Although sunsh
By Cole Barrett · 2026-10-17T08:56:43.685Z
Buffalo, NY – Western New York is experiencing another taste of early winter Saturday, October 17, as scattered lake effect rain and wet snow showers move across portions of the region. Although sunshine is expected to return during the afternoon, temperatures will struggle to climb out of the 40s.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, mostly cloudy skies will dominate Saturday morning, with scattered precipitation developing primarily across higher elevations south and east of the Great Lakes.
The greatest potential for wet snow will be across elevated terrain, where colder temperatures could allow rain to mix with snow. Lower elevation communities, including Buffalo and Rochester, are more likely to experience chilly conditions with limited precipitation.
Saturday afternoon temperatures are expected to reach approximately 49 degrees in Buffalo, 47 in Rochester and Batavia, and 48 in Lockport.
Farther south, Jamestown and Olean should reach around 47 degrees, while Warsaw and Wellsville remain near 45 degrees.
Communities east of Lake Ontario will also experience chilly weather, with Watertown reaching approximately 44 degrees and Lowville around 43 degrees.
Sunshine Returns Saturday Afternoon
The Weather Service expects clouds to gradually decrease as the day progresses, allowing mostly sunny skies to return across much of Western New York.
Despite improving conditions, afternoon temperatures will remain unusually chilly for outdoor activities. Residents attending sporting events, festivals or other weekend gatherings should dress in warm layers.
Motorists traveling through higher elevations should remain alert for changing visibility during scattered morning showers, although widespread snow accumulation is not indicated in the forecast.
October 22–26 Extended Weather Outlook
Looking ahead, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center favors above normal temperatures across much of the eastern United States during October 22–26, including Western New York.
The precipitation outlook places the region near an area favoring below normal rainfall, suggesting a potentially drier pattern during the extended period.
While the outlook does not guarantee specific temperatures or completely dry weather, it indicates that the current chilly conditions may give way to a warmer pattern later next week.
Residents should continue checking updated National Weather Service forecasts as conditions evolve.