BUFFALO, N.Y. – Western New York is turning sharply colder today, with the first widespread frost and freeze of the fall season expected tonight. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Freeze Warning for counties east of Lake Ontario, including Jefferson, Lewis, and Oswego, and a Frost Advisory for much of western and central New York from tonight through 9 a.m. Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will drop into the upper 20s and lower 30s under clear skies and light winds. Areas such as Batavia, Jamestown, and Rochester could dip to near freezing by dawn, while Watertown and Lowville may see hard freezes capable of ending the growing season. Daytime highs today will only reach the upper 50s to around 60°F, a sharp contrast from earlier in the week.
The agency warns residents to take precautions to protect plants, pipes, and pets from the cold. Gardeners should cover or bring in sensitive vegetation, and homeowners are urged to disconnect outdoor hoses and ensure pets have warm shelter overnight. Motorists along I-90 and I-81 may also encounter patchy fog early Thursday morning as temperatures bottom out.
This cold snap marks a notable shift into a more seasonable fall pattern, with daytime temperatures moderating slightly by late week but nights remaining chilly.
