New York — Crisp air bites exposed skin this morning as light flakes drift across western New York. Pavement looks dry in spots, but hidden slick areas linger, especially on bridges and untreated side streets. The calm will not last long.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, a renewed surge of arctic air arrives late Friday and pushes through the weekend. Snow showers develop Friday, with the highest coverage south of Lake Ontario. Gusty winds follow, dropping wind chills to dangerous levels by Friday night and Saturday.
Across western New York, highs struggle to reach the upper 20s by Friday. Buffalo International Airport already sits in the teens this morning, a sign of the colder pattern locking in. Northwest winds increase Friday afternoon, reducing visibility at times during snow showers. Brief snow squalls remain possible, especially on open roadways.
Drivers should plan extra time on the Thruway and Route 33 by Friday afternoon. Slushy snow may melt briefly, then refreeze after sunset. This is peak season for flash freezing, turning wet pavement icy in minutes. Pedestrians should expect slick sidewalks and parking lots through the weekend.
Saturday stays cold and blustery, with highs near the single digits and wind chills well below zero. Lake Erie remains nearly fully frozen, limiting heavy lake-effect snow for now. Even so, light accumulations and blowing snow can still impact travel.
By early next week, conditions slowly moderate. Milder air trends build toward the 6–10 day window, hinting at a late-week thaw and above-normal temperatures returning to the region.
Traveling this weekend? Share what conditions look like where you are.
Five-Day Weather Outlook for Buffalo, NY
Today: Partly sunny, high near 20°F
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, slight chance of snow showers, high near 20°F
Friday: Snow showers likely, windy, high near 28°F
Saturday: Cold and windy, high near 8°F
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, cold, high near 15°F
