New York wakes under a crisp, icy calm as a light breeze drifts off Lake Erie and cold air settles across Buffalo before sunrise. Pavement glints under streetlights, and the sky holds that pale, early-winter tint familiar to Western New Yorkers as Thanksgiving travel begins to ramp up.
According to the National Weather Service, today stays mostly sunny and seasonably cold, with light winds shifting southwest this afternoon. The quiet stretch helps travelers early, but the broader pattern deserves attention. Moisture increases later tonight, bringing a slight chance of showers after 4 a.m. Winds turn southerly and strengthen, which may reduce frost concerns but could create slick patches if temperatures dip faster than expected. Drivers heading along I-190, Route 33, and the Thruway should stay alert during the pre-dawn travel window.
Friday turns milder but cloudier, and a stronger southwest breeze may gust over 20 mph at times. While the day remains dry for most, models continue to hint at a broader “Winter Tease” setting up across the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Northeast by Thanksgiving week. Some northern states may see heavy snow between November 25 and December 3, and Buffalo sits close enough to the cold boundary to watch for a possible snow chance or changeover next week. To be fair, no specific snow signal has locked in, but early winter patterns often shift quickly in Western New York.
For now, the weekend stays cooperative. Saturday brings bright skies and highs in the low 40s—good for early decorating, errands, or holiday travel. Sunday turns partly sunny and slightly warmer before a stronger rain chance arrives Monday.
Five-Day Outlook (Thursday Through Monday)
• Today: Mostly sunny, high near 46.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 50.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 42.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, high near 47.
• Monday: Partly sunny, high near 47.
