Alert archive / New York / High Wind Watches in 2025
High Wind Watch 2, NWS Buffalo, NY
NWS Buffalo, NY issued this high wind watch at Dec 17, 2025, 12:53 AM EST for Chautauqua County, Jefferson County, Lewis County, New York. It took effect at Dec 18, 2025, 3:00 PM EST. It was in force for .
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Dec 17, 2025, 12:53 AM EST (05:53 UTC)
- In effect from
- Dec 18, 2025, 3:00 PM EST
- Expired
- Dec 17, 2025, 12:47 PM EST
- In force
- Issued by
- NWS Buffalo, NY
Counties Chautauqua County, NY, Jefferson County, NY, Lewis County, NY
The radar
The Ft Drum radar (KTYX), 113 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:56 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 00:00Z, 5.9 hours before the alert went out and 148 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1336 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 53 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 351 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 278 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
005 WWUS71 KBUF 170553 NPWBUF URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Buffalo NY 1253 AM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 NYZ001-002-010>012-085-171800- /O.NEW.KBUF.WI.Y.0020.251217T0800Z-251217T1800Z/ Niagara-Orleans-Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Southern Erie- Including the cities of Niagara Falls, Medina, Buffalo, Batavia, Warsaw, Orchard Park, and Springville 1253 AM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...The Niagara Frontier. * WHEN...Until 1 PM EST this afternoon. The strongest winds will likely occur from just before daybreak through late morning. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. && $$ NYZ019-171800- /O.NEW.KBUF.HW.A.0002.251218T2000Z-251219T0800Z/ Chautauqua- Including the cities of Jamestown 1253 AM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 ...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. * WHERE...Chautauqua County. The strongest winds will likely be on the northern slope of the Chautauqua Ridge along the Lake Erie shore. * WHEN...From Thursday afternoon through late Thursday night. * IMPACTS...Strong winds may blow down trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are possible. Travel may be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. The south winds will be a crosswind on the New York State Thruway. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates. Secure or shelter objects in a safe location prior to the onset of the strong winds. && $$ NYZ007-008-171800- /O.NEW.KBUF.HW.A.0002.251219T0000Z-251219T1200Z/ Jefferson-Lewis- Including the cities of Watertown and Lowville 1253 AM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 ...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... * WHAT...South winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. * WHERE...Jefferson and Lewis Counties. The strongest wind gusts will likely be found on the northern slopes of the Tug Hill Plateau and Black River Valley. * WHEN...From Thursday evening through Friday morning. * IMPACTS...Strong winds may blow down trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are possible. Travel may be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates. Secure or shelter objects in a safe location prior to the onset of the strong winds. && $$ Hitchcock/HSK
1 follow-up statement
930 WWUS71 KBUF 171747 NPWBUF URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Buffalo NY 1247 PM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 NYZ001-002-010>012-085-180700- /O.EXP.KBUF.WI.Y.0020.000000T0000Z-251217T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KBUF.WI.Y.0021.251218T2000Z-251220T0600Z/ Niagara-Orleans-Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Southern Erie- Including the cities of Niagara Falls, Medina, Buffalo, Batavia, Warsaw, Orchard Park, and Springville 1247 PM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THURSDAY TO 1 AM EST SATURDAY... ...WIND ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...For the initial wind advisory, gusty southwest winds will continue to subside through the afternoon hours. An additional new wind advisory issued for south winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected Thursday afternoon through Thursday night, and then west winds Friday and Friday night 20 to 35 mph with gusts 50 mph. * WHERE...The Niagara Frontier. * WHEN...From 3 PM Thursday to 1 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects, including outdoor holiday decorations. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. && $$ NYZ019-180700- /O.UPG.KBUF.HW.A.0002.251218T2000Z-251219T0800Z/ /O.NEW.KBUF.HW.W.0003.251218T2000Z-251220T0600Z/ Chautauqua- Including the cities of Jamestown 1247 PM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THURSDAY TO 1 AM EST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected Thursday afternoon through overnight Thursday. Southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph expected Friday and Friday night county-wide. * WHERE...Chautauqua County. The strongest winds Thursday afternoon and night will likely be on the northern slope of the Chautauqua Ridge along the Lake Erie shore. The strongest winds Friday and Friday night will be county-wide. * WHEN...From 3 PM Thursday to 1 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds will blow down trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are likely. Travel may be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. The southeast winds will be a crosswind on the New York State Thruway. Strong winds will blow around unsecured objects, including outdoor holiday decorations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NYZ007-008-180700- /O.UPG.KBUF.HW.A.0002.251219T0000Z-251219T1200Z/ /O.NEW.KBUF.HW.W.0003.251219T0000Z-251220T0600Z/ Jefferson-Lewis- Including the cities of Watertown and Lowville 1247 PM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THURSDAY TO 1 AM EST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected Thursday evening through overnight Thursday. Southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph then expected Friday and Friday night for the North Country. * WHERE...Jefferson and Lewis Counties. The strongest wind gusts Thursday evening and overnight will likely be found on the northern slopes of the Tug Hill Plateau and Black River Valley. Strongest gusts Friday and Friday night will be for the entire North Country region. * WHEN...From 7 PM Thursday to 1 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds will blow down trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Strong winds will blow around unsecured outdoor holiday decorations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive. && $$ NYZ003>006-013-014-020-021-180700- /O.NEW.KBUF.WI.Y.0021.251218T2000Z-251220T0600Z/ Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Livingston-Ontario- Cattaraugus-Allegany- Including the cities of Rochester, Newark, Fair Haven, Oswego, Geneseo, Canandaigua, Olean, and Wellsville 1247 PM EST Wed Dec 17 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THURSDAY TO 1 AM EST SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected Thursday afternoon through Thursday night, and then west winds Friday and Friday night 20 to 35 mph with gusts 50 mph. * WHERE...Monroe, Wayne, Northern Cayuga, Oswego, Livingston, Ontario, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties. * WHEN...From 3 PM Thursday to 1 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects including holiday decorations. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. && $$ Thomas
The office that day
Everything else NWS Buffalo, NY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 17, 12:53 AM EST | Wind Advisory | BUF | Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming | 12 hr |
| Dec 17, 12:47 PM EST | High Wind Warning | BUF | Chautauqua, Jefferson, Lewis | 38 hr |
| Dec 17, 12:47 PM EST | Wind Advisory | BUF | Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee and 10 more | 60 hr |
| Dec 17, 1:05 PM EST | Gale Watch | BUF | 13 hr |
Nearby
High Wind Watches in New York, 2025Every high wind watch in 2025
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.