Buffalo, NY – Western New York will see a seasonably warm Thursday with highs near 85°F, but conditions are expected to turn significantly hotter by late this weekend, with heat index values climbing into the mid-90s by Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, a building dome of heat and humidity will push “feels-like” temperatures to uncomfortable levels starting Sunday. Cities including Buffalo, Rochester, and Batavia could see maximum heat index readings between 91°F and 95°F from Sunday through Tuesday. The rising heat may trigger localized afternoon storms, especially east of Lake Ontario, including areas near Watertown and Oswego.
While Thursday offers mild relief with mostly sunny skies, forecasters advise residents to begin preparing for extended periods of heat. Those without air conditioning should plan to visit cooling centers, stay hydrated, and limit outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours over the weekend.
No formal advisories are in place yet, but additional heat alerts are possible by Saturday as heat index values creep toward dangerous thresholds. Officials recommend checking on vulnerable neighbors and staying weather-aware.
