Alert archive / New York / Small Craft Advisories in 2026

Small Craft Advisory 42, NWS Buffalo, NY

May 5, 2026

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this small craft advisory at May 5, 2026, 12:35 PM EDT. It was in force for 10 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 5, 2026, 12:35 PM EDT (16:35 UTC)
Expired
May 5, 2026, 10:41 PM EDT
In force
10 hr
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY

The text

As transmitted.

275 
WHUS71 KBUF 051635
MWWBUF

URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1235 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

LEZ040-041-060000-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.260505T1635Z-260506T0000Z/
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
1235 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots and waves 4 to 7 feet.

* WHERE...The nearshore waters of Lake Erie from Ripley to 
  Buffalo.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$

LEZ020-LOZ030-060000-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.260505T1635Z-260506T0000Z/
Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-Lower Niagara River-
1235 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 knots.

* WHERE...The Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$

LOZ042-043-060000-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.260505T1635Z-260506T0000Z/
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin
Beach-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay-
1235 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 knots.

* WHERE...The nearshore waters of Lake Ontario from the Niagara 
  River to Sodus Bay.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$

LOZ044-045-060000-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.260505T1635Z-260506T0000Z/
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint
Lawrence River-
1235 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 knots.

* WHERE...The nearshore waters of Lake Ontario from Sodus Bay to 
  the Saint Lawrence River.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$

SLZ022-024-060000-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.260505T1635Z-260506T0000Z/
Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg-
Saint Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Saint Regis-
1235 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots.

* WHERE...The Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Saint 
  Regis.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
219 
WHUS71 KBUF 051957
MWWBUF

URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
357 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

LEZ040-041-060200-
/O.EXT.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0200Z/
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
357 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots and waves 3 to 5 feet.

* WHERE...The nearshore waters of Lake Erie from Ripley to 
  Buffalo.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$

LOZ042-043-060200-
/O.EXT.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0200Z/
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin
Beach-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay-
357 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 knots and waves 3 to 6 feet.

* WHERE...The nearshore waters of Lake Ontario from the Niagara 
  River to Sodus Bay.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$

LOZ044-045-060400-
/O.EXT.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0400Z/
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint
Lawrence River-
357 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 knots and waves 3 to 6 feet.

* WHERE...The nearshore waters of Lake Ontario from Sodus Bay to 
  the Saint Lawrence River.

* WHEN...Until midnight EDT tonight.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$

LEZ020-LOZ030-060000-
/O.CON.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0000Z/
Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-Lower Niagara River-
357 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 20 knots.

* WHERE...The Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$

SLZ022-024-060000-
/O.CON.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0000Z/
Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg-
Saint Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Saint Regis-
357 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 20 knots.

* WHERE...The Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Saint 
  Regis.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$
244 
WHUS71 KBUF 060156
MWWBUF

URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
956 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

LEZ040-041-060300-
/O.EXP.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0200Z/
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
956 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING...


$$

LOZ042-043-060300-
/O.EXP.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0200Z/
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin
Beach-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay-
956 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING...



$$

LOZ044-045-060400-
/O.CON.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0400Z/
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint
Lawrence River-
956 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 20 knots and waves 3 to 5 feet.

* WHERE...The nearshore waters of Lake Ontario from Sodus Bay to 
  the Saint Lawrence River.

* WHEN...Until midnight EDT tonight.

* IMPACTS...Winds and/or waves will cause hazardous conditions 
  that could capsize or damage small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

$$
563 
WHUS71 KBUF 060241
MWWBUF

URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1041 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

LOZ044-045-060345-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SC.Y.0042.000000T0000Z-260506T0400Z/
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint
Lawrence River-
1041 PM EDT Tue May 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

Winds and waves will continue to diminish overnight.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this small craft 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 small craft advisory went out at May 5, 5:59 AM EDT, 6 hours 36 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Gusty winds into this afternoon. 2) Soaking rainfall this afternoon into Wednesday. 3) Frost possible Thursday night.
Area forecast discussion, May 5, 5:59 AM EDT, 6 hours 36 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
559 AM EDT Tue May 5 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes have been made with this update.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Gusty winds into this afternoon.

2) Soaking rainfall this afternoon into Wednesday.

3) Frost possible Thursday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Gusty winds into this afternoon.

A low level jet of 40 to 50 knots will focus across the region
today. Warm advective pattern will limit degree of mixing, but
momentum transfer schemes suggesting most areas looking at 25
to 35 mph gusts, with gusts to near 45 mph possible downwind
of the lakes. The strongest wind gusts likely through mid
afternoon, before lowering as a cold front eases into the region
and the low level jet shifts east.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Soaking rainfall this afternoon into Wednesday.

Cold front across the central Great Lakes early this morning will
approach the region today. The progress of the front through the
region will be gradual as the upper flow is nearly parallel to the
front. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms this morning
within the warm sector will increase later in the day as the cold
front approaches. Shear and instability look very marginal which
will limit severe potential. Showers and embedded thunderstorms will
become widespread tonight into Wednesday as the front slowly pushes
through the region. The primary threat will be the potential for
heavy rainfall as a deep plume of precipitable water values of 1-
1.5" surge into the region. Rainfall amounts from today through
Wednesday are expected to average between 0.75-1.25" in most areas,
though there will likely be a swath of totals closer to 1.5" in the
corridor between the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and Tug Hill
region. Locally higher totals will be possible deepening on how
convection evolves.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Frost possible Thursday night.

Much cooler air will settle into the region through mid week.
Overnight low temperatures Thursday night likely drop into the 30s.
There is the potential for frost, though this will be highly
dependent on the amount of cloud cover in place and the resulting
radiational cooling.

&&

.AVIATION /09Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Lingering LLWS owing to a 40-45 knot jet at 1.5-2 kft off the deck
will quickly diminish with increasing diurnal mixing during the
first couple hours of the TAF period...with the increased mixing
also allowing surface wind gusts to quickly climb into the 25-30
knot range in many areas...and to 30-35 knots downwind of the lakes
out ahead of the approaching cold front. The winds will be strongest
from mid-morning through about mid-afternoon...then will markedly
fall off from NW-SE with the arrival of the cold front. Otherwise we
can expect a relative lull in precipitation into midday with just a
few scattered showers and predominantly VFR conditions...with some
MVFR ceilings possibly developing across far western New York.
Conditions will then trend notably downhill through the afternoon
and early evening hours as the cold front arrives...with deepening
moisture and lift along it generating increasingly widespread
showers along with some scattered thunderstorms. The greatest
chances for any storms look to extend from the interior of the
Southern Tier northeastward across the Finger Lakes and central New
York...where some modest instability looks to develop out ahead of
the cold front. As all this occurs...ceilings will lower to mainly
MVFR with some IFR possible across the Southern Tier...with
reductions in visibility to MVFR/IFR also possible within any
heavier showers and storms.

While the cold front itself will slide off to our southeast this
evening and bring an end to any instability/potential for thunder...
another wave of low pressure will ripple northeastward along the
slow-moving boundary and generate additional widespread light to
moderate rainfall through the rest of the night. The resultant
continued moistening of the low levels and developing upslope
northeasterly flow will result in flight conditions further
deteriorating to widespread IFR across the lower elevations...
and to LIFR across the higher terrain.

Outlook...

Wednesday...Widespread rain tapering off from northwest to
southeast...with morning IFR/LIFR improving to low-end VFR across
the lower elevations and MVFR across the higher terrain.

Thursday...VFR/MVFR with a chance of showers across the Southern
Tier.

Friday through Saturday...Restrictions possible with increasing
chances for showers in the afternoon both days.

&&

.MARINE...
High pressure will track off the mid-Atlantic coast today. A tight
pressure gradient will remain through this afternoon before
weakening tonight. A cold front moving through today will aid in
bringing some higher winds to the surface for the marine areas with
weak cold air advection, but the low level jet is expected to weaken
behind the front. This will result in a moderate to fresh breeze
lasting through early afternoon. In general, winds and waves will
remain just below Small Craft Advisory criteria most of the time,
but it will be very choppy on both lakes.

Showers with a few thunderstorms will also be possible, especially
this afternoon and tonight. A few storms may contain locally gusty
winds.

&&

.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...TMA
AVIATION...JJR
MARINE...TMA
Hazardous weather outlook, May 5, 2:26 AM EDT, 10 hours 9 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
226 AM EDT Tue May 5 2026

NYZ001>003-010>013-019>021-085-060630-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie-
226 AM EDT Tue May 5 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

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-LOZ030-042-043-062-063-060630-
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 open waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin Beach-
Lake Ontario open waters from Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay-
226 AM EDT Tue May 5 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie and Lake
Ontario.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

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

NYZ004>008-014-060630-
Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-Ontario-
226 AM EDT Tue May 5 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and
evening. The primary hazard being damaging wind gusts.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

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

LOZ044-045-064-065-SLZ022-024-060630-
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 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-
226 AM EDT Tue May 5 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Ontario and
Saint Lawrence River.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and
evening. The primary hazard being damaging wind gusts.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

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

Nearby

Small Craft Advisories in New York, 2026Every small craft 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.