BUFFALO, N.Y. – Western New York wakes to slick roads, dripping rooftops, and a chill that hints at what’s ahead — a colder, windier push setting up from the Great Lakes by Friday morning. Light rain early Thursday gives way to a brief lull before a stronger system sweeps in, bringing a soggy and blustery weekend that could end with the region’s first measurable snow since early November.
According to the National Weather Service office in Buffalo, showers will redevelop Friday evening as winds shift southwest, pushing mild air across Lake Erie before colder air crashes in late Saturday. Gusts could top 35 mph along the I-90 corridor, especially near Hamburg and Dunkirk, where lake spray and falling leaves may clog drains and reduce visibility. By Sunday, temperatures slide into the lower 40s, with the first mix of rain and wet snow possible east of the lake and north toward Lockport.
Travelers heading out for early Thanksgiving errands should plan around reduced visibility and slippery stretches, especially in elevated terrain. Power lines and newly hung holiday decorations could take a beating in the gusts. Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, clear storm drains, and check sump pumps before heavier rain arrives Saturday night.
For now, Friday looks like the mildest day of the stretch — but don’t get comfortable. By Sunday night, the crisp November air will feel unmistakably wintry, a reminder that Buffalo’s lake-effect season waits just beyond the weekend.
Five-Day Forecast for Buffalo, NY:
Fri: 45/31 – Partly sunny; west breeze eases by afternoon.
Sat: 55/36 – Rain builds; breezy late, heavy at times.
Sun: 44/32 – Rain changing to wet snow; windy and colder.
Mon: 41/30 – Mostly cloudy; lingering flurries early.
Tue: 43/33 – Partly sunny; brisk air, dry for travel plans.
