BUFFALO, N.Y. – The season’s first widespread frost will brush across much of western and central New York early Thursday, signaling a sharp cool-down after an unseasonably mild stretch.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, a Frost Advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT Thursday for inland areas of Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Chautauqua, and Oswego counties. Temperatures are expected to fall into the low to mid-30s, allowing frost to form on lawns, rooftops, and vehicles in sheltered inland valleys.
Communities including Buffalo, Batavia, Jamestown, Orchard Park, Geneseo, and Oswego are likely to wake to a crisp, frosty morning. Areas immediately along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario may remain just warm enough to avoid widespread frost thanks to lake influence, but neighborhoods farther inland are expected to see thin ice crystals form before sunrise.
The NWS urges residents to cover or bring in tender plants, disconnect garden hoses, and protect outdoor plumbing from the chill. Motorists in rural stretches of I-90, I-86, and U.S. 20A may encounter light frost on windshields or bridge surfaces during the early morning commute. Pet owners are advised to ensure animals have adequate warmth overnight.
Temperatures will rebound into the upper 50s to near 60 Thursday afternoon under sunny skies, offering a pleasant fall day after the cold start. Another round of patchy frost could return early Friday before a gradual weekend warm-up.
