New York greets the morning with gray skies, damp cold air, and a biting breeze.
The quiet start hides a developing winter setup that could change travel plans fast.
Across western New York, today and Christmas Day remain manageable.
Highs hover in the mid to upper 30s, with dry roads and improving visibility.
Travel stays smooth on I-90 and local routes for now.
The pattern shifts Thursday night.
Colder air slides south as a clipper system approaches from the Midwest.
Meteorologists are now tracking increasing moisture and falling temperatures.
By Friday afternoon, snow begins to mix with sleet and freezing rain.
Temperatures hover near 31 degrees, a dangerous range for untreated roads.
Light ice accumulations remain possible, especially south of Buffalo.
Travel conditions may deteriorate quickly late Friday.
Snow becomes more dominant by evening, reducing visibility.
Wind gusts near 20 mph could cause blowing snow at times.
Drivers heading out after Christmas should plan ahead.
Slippery bridges and ramps may develop first.
Extra time is strongly advised for anyone traveling Friday evening.
Friday night looks unsettled.
Snow remains likely, with slick pavement lingering into early Saturday.
Road crews may struggle during periods of mixed precipitation.
Saturday brings gradual improvement.
Clouds linger, but precipitation tapers off.
Highs rebound near 37 degrees, allowing some melting during the day.
This system fits a broader Northeast winter pattern.
While major storms target New England, western New York still sees impacts.
Flash freezing remains a concern once temperatures dip again after sunset.
Plan travel carefully, especially if heading south toward Chautauqua or Cattaraugus counties.
Conditions may vary sharply over short distances.
5-Day Outlook for Buffalo, New York
- Today: Partly sunny, high near 35
- Christmas Day: Partly sunny, high near 38
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, colder, high near 31
- Friday: Snow and wintry mix, high near 31
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, improving, high near 37
