BUFFALO, N.Y. — Western New York wakes up under a Frost Advisory as temperatures plunge into the mid-30s early Thursday, threatening gardens, crops, and outdoor plants from Buffalo to Batavia. Sensitive vegetation left uncovered could be damaged before sunrise as the coldest air of the season settles inland from Lake Erie.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, the advisory remains in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday for Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, and Chautauqua counties. Motorists traveling along I-90 and I-86 may notice patchy frost on grassy shoulders and bridge surfaces. Residents should protect tender plants, cover garden beds, and bring potted flowers indoors before the evening chill sets in.
After the cold start, sunshine dominates Thursday and Friday with highs rebounding into the mid-50s to near 60 degrees. Winds will remain light, making for pleasant leaf-peeping and pumpkin-patch conditions across the region. According to forecasters, the weekend turns milder but unsettled, with clouds increasing and scattered showers likely late Saturday into Sunday as a weak front crosses the Great Lakes.
Travelers heading east toward Rochester or south into Pennsylvania should expect changing visibility during early-morning commutes, though major disruptions are not anticipated. The crisp, dry pattern early next week will favor more fall color viewing before another temperature dip approaches near Halloween.
Five-Day Forecast for Buffalo, NY:
Thu: 56/38 – Sunny; morning frost inland from Lake Erie.
Fri: 59/45 – Mostly sunny; calm and cool.
Sat: 63/50 – Increasing clouds; showers developing late.
Sun: 60/49 – Scattered showers; breezy and cooler.
Mon: 58/47 – Partly sunny; dry and seasonable.
