by Donna Carroll Batton

Created on: November 27, 2009

Buffalo is located in the western part of New York State, nestled between two of the Great Lakes, Erie and Ontario. These lakes have a big effect on the weather in Buffalo and Western New York. Labeled the Mid Atlantic Region of the climate zones, Buffalo gets its weather from the Midwest and the Atlantic Ocean.

While Buffalo has a dubious reputation for snowfall during the winter months, it also boasts its beautiful, warm summers. With an average rainfall of 38.6 and an average snowfall of 91.3, Buffalo also has an abundance of sunshine-filled days.

The four seasons are fully represented here. Spring thaws come in April and the temperatures depend a great deal on the amount of ice cover the previous winter has provided on the lakes. A very cold, prolonged winter results in a later spring due to the giant air conditioner effect of winds blowing across the frozen lakes. A milder winter usually heralds an earlier spring.

June begins the warm, summer days in Buffalo, with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 70's (Fahrenheit). July and August are the warmest months with temperatures averaging in the 70's and 80's. 90* temperatures are rare in Buffalo, although the last several years have seen more of them than usual.

Thunderstorms are active in summer months but more severe weather such as tornadoes and hurricanes are almost non-existent. The few tornadoes that have touched down in Buffalo are small and confined to smaller areas. Most damage from summer storms here can be attributed to straight-line winds.

Fall is a beautiful, warm season in Western New York. The weather is mild and the foliage begins to turn to vibrant colors of crimson and gold toward the end of September. October ushers in the cooler days where the temperatures usually drop into the lower 60's and upper 50's. Around Halloween the colder weather makes its debut.

Snowfall generally begins in early November, a dusting or so early then more accumulations as the month progresses. Buffalonians can usually count on a white Christmas, although not always.

As stated above, the Great Lakes have a tremendous effect on the weather and climate in Buffalo and Western New York. Winds blowing from the Midwest across a frozen Lake Erie, for instance, can trigger a lake effect snowstorm. The wind picks up moisture from the lake and drops it in the form of snow over the city and surrounding suburbs.

A northerly breeze from Canada has the same effect blowing southward over Lake Ontario. These lake effect snowstorms are more prevalent in the early winter when the lakes have not yet frozen over.

Not limited to snow in the winter, the lakes can also trigger lake effect rains. By the same token, a fall breeze blowing across the still-warm lake can raise temperatures on an otherwise chilly day.

Buffalonians are adept at using the weather to their advantage. Memorial Day signals the start of the summer fun season in the area. Theme parks open, outdoor cafes set out their tables and chairs and the outdoor summer concert series gets into full swing.

Having lived through a long, cold winter, folks take full advantage of the beautiful summer days by spending as much time as possible outdoors. The lakes provide summer recreation in the form of swimming, boating and fishing.

Of course, Buffalo and its suburbs is also home to the winter weather enthusiasts too. Several top-rated ski resorts in the south towns offer excellent skiing and beautiful lodges for the winter sports fans. Ice hockey is also a big sport in Buffalo.

Buffalo's climate can be summed up in a word, diversified. There's a season for everyone, though most of us would welcome just a little less winter and a little more summer.

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