Alert archive / New York / Frost Advisories in 2026

Frost Advisory 5, NWS Buffalo, NY

May 11, 20266 counties in New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this frost advisory at May 11, 2026, 1:23 PM EDT for 6 counties in New York. It took effect at May 12, 2026, 12:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 8 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 11, 2026, 1:23 PM EDT (17:23 UTC)
In effect from
May 12, 2026, 12:00 AM EDT
Expired
May 12, 2026, 8:26 AM EDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY

Counties Cayuga County, NY, Monroe County, NY, Niagara County, NY, Ontario County, NY, Orleans County, NY, Wayne County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 97 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:24 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 12:00Z, 5.4 hours before the alert went out and 94 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-05-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-05-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -7 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1180 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-7 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
80 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

258 
WWUS71 KBUF 111723
NPWBUF

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
123 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

NYZ006>008-120900-
/O.NEW.KBUF.FZ.W.0003.260512T0400Z-260512T1300Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
123 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM EDT 
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s expected.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 9 AM EDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other 
  sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor 
  plumbing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes 
they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those 
that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover 
above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

&&

$$

NYZ010>013-019>021-085-120900-
/O.NEW.KBUF.FZ.W.0003.260512T0400Z-260512T1300Z/
Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-
Allegany-Southern Erie-
Including the cities of Buffalo, Batavia, Warsaw, Geneseo,
Jamestown, Olean, Wellsville, Orchard Park, and Springville
123 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM EDT 
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s expected.

* WHERE...Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Chautauqua, 
  Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 9 AM EDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other 
  sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor 
  plumbing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes 
they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those 
that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover 
above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

&&

$$

NYZ001>005-014-120900-
/O.NEW.KBUF.FR.Y.0005.260512T0400Z-260512T1300Z/
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Ontario-
Including the cities of Niagara Falls, Medina, Rochester, Newark,
Fair Haven, and Canandaigua
123 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM EDT 
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Temperatures around 30 will result in frost formation.

* WHERE...Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Northern Cayuga, and 
  Ontario Counties.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 9 AM EDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left 
  unprotected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

&&

$$

EAJ
2 follow-up statements
028 
WWUS71 KBUF 120523
NPWBUF

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
123 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

NYZ006>008-121300-
/O.CON.KBUF.FZ.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260512T1300Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
123 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM EDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could damage or kill cold 
  sensitive vegetation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.


&&

$$

NYZ010>013-019>021-085-121300-
/O.CON.KBUF.FZ.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260512T1300Z/
Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-
Allegany-Southern Erie-
Including the cities of Buffalo, Batavia, Warsaw, Geneseo,
Jamestown, Olean, Wellsville, Orchard Park, and Springville
123 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s.

* WHERE...Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Chautauqua, 
  Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM EDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could damage or kill cold 
  sensitive vegetation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.


&&

$$

NYZ001>005-014-121300-
/O.CON.KBUF.FR.Y.0005.000000T0000Z-260512T1300Z/
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Ontario-
Including the cities of Niagara Falls, Medina, Rochester, Newark,
Fair Haven, and Canandaigua
123 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Temperatures in the low to mid 30s will result in frost 
  formation.

* WHERE...Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Northern Cayuga, and 
  Ontario Counties.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM EDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Frost could damage cold sensitive outdoor vegetation if 
  left unprotected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

&&

$$

Hitchcock
168 
WWUS71 KBUF 121226
NPWBUF

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
826 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

NYZ006>008-010>013-019>021-085-121330-
/O.CAN.KBUF.FZ.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260512T1300Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, Lowville, Buffalo,
Batavia, Warsaw, Geneseo, Jamestown, Olean, Wellsville, Orchard
Park, and Springville
826 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...FREEZE WARNING IS CANCELLED...

Temperatures have risen above freezing, therefore the Freeze Warning 
has been cancelled.

$$

NYZ001>005-014-121330-
/O.CAN.KBUF.FR.Y.0005.000000T0000Z-260512T1300Z/
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Ontario-
Including the cities of Niagara Falls, Medina, Rochester, Newark,
Fair Haven, and Canandaigua
826 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...FROST ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

Temperatures have risen and are no longer supportive of frost 
formation, therefore the Frost Advisory has been cancelled.

$$

SJW

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this frost advisory went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Buffalo, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this frost advisory went out at May 11, 6:13 AM EDT, 7 hours 10 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Cool with a few spotty showers today. 2) Widespread frost tonight through early Tuesday morning, with freeze conditions across the Southern Tier and east of Lake Ontario. 3) Unsettled weather returns by the middle of the week with periods of rain Tuesday night through Thursday.
Area forecast discussion, May 11, 6:13 AM EDT, 7 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
613 AM EDT Mon May 11 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Minor changes to the forecast with this update.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Cool with a few spotty showers today.

2) Widespread frost tonight through early Tuesday morning, with
freeze conditions across the Southern Tier and east of Lake Ontario.

3) Unsettled weather returns by the middle of the week with periods
of rain Tuesday night through Thursday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Cool with a few spotty showers today.

850MB temperatures around -2C will persist today. Areas of frost
will be found across the cooler locations of the Southern Tier and
east of Lake Ontario through the early morning hours. Temperatures
will struggle to recover today, with highs in the lower 50s in most
areas and upper 40s higher terrain.

A weak mid level shortwave will cross the eastern Great Lakes this
morning, with an increase in clouds and possibly a few sprinkles or
spotty light showers along and north of the NYS Thruway.

A stronger shortwave will sharpen and dig across the eastern Great
Lakes this afternoon. There is minimal deep moisture to work with,
but the combination of DPVA ahead of the shortwave and steep lapse
rates may allow a few spotty showers to develop this afternoon. The
best chance of a few passing showers will be found across the Saint
Lawrence Valley where synoptic scale forcing maximizes, and also
along the lake breeze convergence zone from the Niagara River
extending ESE into the Finger Lakes. Stable lake shadows will
develop east/southeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario this afternoon,
preventing showers and allowing for more sunshine.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Widespread frost tonight through early Tuesday
morning, with freeze conditions across the Southern Tier and east of
Lake Ontario.

Surface high pressure will build east across the Great Lakes
tonight, reaching Western NY/PA by daybreak Tuesday. Clearing skies
and diminishing winds in this cool airmass will allow for strong
radiational cooling overnight. Lows will drop back into the low to
mid 30s areawide, with upper 20s likely in the typically colder
Southern Tier Valleys and Tug Hill region. Widespread frost is
expected, with freeze conditions in colder inland areas.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Unsettled weather returns by the middle of the week
with periods of rain Tuesday night through Thursday.

Another strong Pacific shortwave will dig into the mean eastern
CONUS trough through the middle of the week, evolving into a closed
low as it crosses the Great Lakes Wednesday and then the Northeast
by Thursday. This system will bring another extended period of
unsettled weather from Tuesday night through at least Thursday
night.

An area of strong warm advection and moisture transport will arrive
Tuesday night, supporting the development of widespread rain from
west to east across the region. The widespread rain will last into
Wednesday morning before a mid level dry slot arrives over the
eastern Great Lakes by afternoon, allowing the widespread rain to
become more showery in nature. Showers will continue Wednesday night
through Thursday night with additional forcing for ascent and deep
moisture from the passing mid level trough and weak, vertically
stacked surface low slowly crossing the eastern Great Lakes.

Model guidance begins to diverge on the timing of this system by
Friday, with the GFS suggesting a faster exit off the New England
coast, while the GEM and especially ECMWF show a slower progression
and lingering showers. The current forecast is mainly dry for our
area Friday, but this may change pending future model trends.

There is still some spread in model and ensemble guidance in total
rainfall amounts for the Tuesday night through Thursday night
period, but even the higher end of the guidance envelope does not
generate enough QPF for any flood concerns.

&&

.AVIATION /10Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
A weak mid level shortwave will cross the eastern Great Lakes this
morning, bringing an increase in mid level clouds and possibly a few
spotty light showers, mainly along and north of the NYS Thruway.
Cloud bases will remain VFR.

Another stronger shortwave will cross the eastern Great Lakes this
afternoon. Moisture will be very limited, but strong forcing and
steep lapse rates may support a few spotty showers this afternoon.
The best chance of showers will be across the Saint Lawrence Valley
where synoptic scale forcing is strongest, and also along the lake
breeze convergence zone from near KIAG and KBUF extending ESE into
the Finger Lakes. Otherwise, expect plenty of cumulus and
stratocumulus today with cold air aloft. Stable lake shadows will
reduce cloud cover over and east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

High pressure will build east across the Great Lakes tonight, with
clearing skies and light winds.

Outlook...

Tuesday...Mainly VFR.

Wednesday... MVFR/IFR with periods of rain. A few widely scattered
thunderstorms possible in the afternoon and evening.

Thursday...IFR/MVFR improving to MVFR/VFR with occasional showers.

Friday...Mainly VFR.

&&

.MARINE...
WSW winds will increase on Lake Ontario this afternoon and evening,
with a light to moderate chop especially on the east half of the
lake. High pressure will build over the lower Great Lakes tonight,
with diminishing winds. Light winds will continue Tuesday as high
pressure drifts to the east coast.

Low pressure will then cross the upper Great Lakes Tuesday night,
reaching the lower Great Lakes Wednesday. Southeast winds will ramp
up ahead of this system later Tuesday night through Wednesday
morning, likely bringing a period of Small Craft Advisory conditions
to the east end of Lake Ontario. Winds will become more
southwesterly with time later Wednesday, with a moderate chop on
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

&&

.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...Frost Advisory until 8 AM EDT this morning for NYZ006>008-012-
     019>021-085.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Hitchcock
AVIATION...Hitchcock
MARINE...Hitchcock
Hazardous weather outlook, May 11, 1:23 AM EDT, 12 hours before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
123 AM EDT Mon May 11 2026

NYZ001>005-010-011-013-014-120530-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Northern Erie-Genesee-
Livingston-Ontario-
123 AM EDT Mon May 11 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north
central New York.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Widespread frost is likely tonight through early Tuesday morning,
which may damage cold sensitive vegetation.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo
can be found on the internet at http://www.weather.gov/buf

NYZ012-019>021-085-120530-
Wyoming-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie-
123 AM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 AM EDT
MONDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Frost Advisory.

Widespread frost and freeze conditions are likely tonight through
early Tuesday morning, which may damage cold sensitive vegetation.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo
can be found on the internet at http://www.weather.gov/buf

NYZ006>008-120530-
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
123 AM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 AM EDT
MONDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central New York.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Frost Advisory.

Widespread frost and freeze conditions are likely tonight through
early Tuesday morning, which may damage cold sensitive vegetation.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo
can be found on the internet at http://www.weather.gov/buf

LEZ020-040-041-LOZ030-042>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-120530-
Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
Lower Niagara River-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin Beach-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint Lawrence
River-
Lake Ontario open waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin Beach-
Lake Ontario open waters from Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay-
Lake Ontario open waters from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay-
Lake Ontario open waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint Lawrence River-
Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg-
Saint Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Saint Regis-
123 AM EDT Mon May 11 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the New York waters of Lake
Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Saint Lawrence River.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo
can be found on the internet at http://www.weather.gov/buf

Hitchcock

The office that day

Everything else NWS Buffalo, NY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 11, 1:23 PM EDTFreeze WarningBUFAllegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson and 4 more19 hr

Nearby

Frost Advisories in New York, 2026Every frost advisory in 2026

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.