New York — Thick fog and drizzle hang over Buffalo this morning, a calm before the storm as powerful lake-effect snow and dangerous winds target western New York through Thanksgiving. The air is heavy and still now, but by late afternoon, roads may turn slick and travel could quickly deteriorate across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, multiple advisories are in effect today, including a Winter Weather Advisory, Wind Advisory, and Lakeshore Flood Advisory. This potent system will bring 2 to 5 inches of snow to northern Erie and Genesee counties, with wind gusts reaching 50 mph near Lake Erie and along I-90.
Travelers heading west or south of the city should prepare for whiteout conditions, especially tonight through early Thanksgiving morning, when snow bands intensify and visibility drops to near zero at times. The combination of wet snow and gusty winds may also bring down tree limbs and cause isolated power outages. Lakeshore areas could see minor flooding as high waves push into Buffalo Harbor and the Hamburg shoreline.
By Thanksgiving afternoon, conditions will slowly improve, though lake-effect snow may persist east of the city. Temperatures will stay cold—highs near 38°F with wind chills in the 20s. Friday remains brisk with scattered flurries and highs near 36°F before calmer, drier weather returns over the weekend.
Looking ahead, models hint at a major Arctic front sweeping into the U.S. by December 1–5, bringing a surge of below-normal temperatures and potential heavy snow across the northern states—possibly another round for the Great Lakes region.
Five-Day Outlook (Wed–Sun)
• Today: Rain and wind, 54°F.
• Thursday: Snow showers, 38°F.
• Friday: Flurries, 36°F.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, 35°F.
• Sunday: Snow chances return, 42°F.
