Buffalo, NY – Western New York is facing worsening drought conditions, with most of the region now classified as being in a moderate to severe drought, according to the National Weather Service’s Buffalo office.
The agency said in a Saturday update that ongoing dry and warm weather has persisted through late September, deepening drought across the area. As of September 30, nearly all of western New York is experiencing moderate drought, while portions of the Southern Tier are now in the severe drought category.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, rainfall deficits have grown since midsummer, with soil moisture and streamflows below seasonal averages. The dry pattern is expected to continue through Monday, with forecasters predicting no significant rainfall until Tuesday or Tuesday night.
Rain probabilities rise sharply early next week — with a 70–90% chance of precipitation across western New York on Tuesday, especially in Dunkirk, Jamestown, and Buffalo. The Weather Service says this rainfall could provide “some beneficial moisture,” though it’s not expected to fully erase the drought.
Residents are urged to conserve water where possible and to monitor local advisories as conditions evolve.
