Lake-Effect Snow in New York, December 24 to 27, 2017

Name: Lake-Effect Snow in New York, December 24 to 27, 2017
Start: 2017-12-24T18:00
End: 2017-12-27T21:00
Location: New York

December 24 to 27, 2017 · NWS BUF · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

Lake effect snow developed early Christmas morning and continued continuously for about 72 hours, before diminishing late in the day on Wednesday the 27th. Off Lake Erie, the heaviest lake effect snows with this event were mainly confined to the classic snow belt directly east of Lake Erie due to the predominate westerly flow.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $505,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BUF wrote it up.

Lake effect snow developed early Christmas morning and continued continuously for about 72 hours, before diminishing late in the day on Wednesday the 27th.

Off Lake Erie, the heaviest lake effect snows with this event were mainly confined to the classic snow belt directly east of Lake Erie due to the predominate westerly flow. At the onset of the event Christmas morning, the Buffalo metro area picked up a few of inches of snow before the band pushed south and was disrupted through midday. By Christmas afternoon, the lake effect snow band intensified and made its closest approach to the Buffalo Southtowns during the duration of the event. By Christmas evening, a very robust single plume had developed with localized reports of 5 to 6 inches per hour at Perrysburg in Cattaraugus County and in southern Erie County, along with a few cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. There was considerable blowing and drifting ongoing at the time. Strong wind gusts and blowing snow also accompanied this early part of the event, with gusts 35 to 45 mph. The westerly flow then became locked in from late on the 25th to the 27th, with a lake shore hugging band near Erie, PA that spread inland across Mayville to Perrysburg to Springville to Arcade where it lingered for nearly 2 days. Towns along the Chautauqua Ridge were heavily impacted with storm totals of three to four feet of snow, with towns reportedly struggling to keep up the persistent snow. The snow storm tapered off late in the day on Wednesday the 27th as the flow broke the lake effect into narrow, disorganized multibands. By the evening the snow tapered off completely as high pressure and drier air moved into the lower Great Lakes. Off Lake Erie, specific snowfall reports included: 44 inches at Perrysburg; 33 inches at Colden; 31 inches at Springville; 29 inches at Cattaraugus; 25 inches at Glenwood; 15 inches at Boston; 13 inches at Silver Creek; 12 inches at Rushford, Portland, Fredonia, Franklinville and Little Valley; 10 inches at Wales and Pavilion; 9 inches at Dunkirk and Jamestown; 8 inches at Angelica, Elma and Randolph.

Off Lake Ontario, the most significant lake effect snows with this event were mainly confined to the classic snow belt directly east of Lake Ontario over the Tug Hill due to the predominate westerly flow over the course of this event. However respectable snow totals were still achieved near Watertown and southeast of the lake during fluctuations the position of the band. For the bulk of the time period from Christmas afternoon through the evening of the 26th, the lake effect band remained over the Tug Hill. Generally over three feet fell over the Tug Hill during this event, with locally up to five feet at Redfield. The band was reported to have snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour on Christmas day. By the 27th, the flow turned more northwesterly, breaking the lake effect into more narrow, disorganized multibands south of Lake Ontario. The two-day snowfall of 62.2 inches of snow at Redfield set a record for Oswego County. The previous two-day record was 57.0 inches at Bennetts Bridge in February 2008. Off Lake Ontario, specific snowfall reports included: 65 inches at Redfield; 38 inches at Mannsville; 37 inches at Lowville and Lacona; 34 inches at Glenfield; 31 inches at Oswego; 30 inches at Constableville and Highmarket; 25 inches at Port Leyden; 21 inches at Osceola and Minetto; 20 inches at Pulaski; 19 inches at Hooker; 17 inches at Watertown; 13 inches at Croghan; 11 inches at Fulton; 10 inches at Palermo and Phoenix.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Dec 24, 4:53 PM EST, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 24, 4:53 PM EST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 24, 1:53 PM EST, 4 hours 7 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

NYZ008-251900-
Lewis-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM
EST WEDNESDAY...

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

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

   Lake Effect Snow Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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

   Lake Effect Snow Warning.

.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

NYZ005>007-251900-
Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM
EST WEDNESDAY...
...LAKESHORE FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MONDAY TO 7 AM EST
TUESDAY...

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

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

   Lake Effect Snow Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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

   Lake Effect Snow Warning.
   Lakeshore Flood Warning.

.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>021-085-251900-
Wyoming-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
6 PM EST WEDNESDAY...

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

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

   Lake Effect Snow Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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

   Lake Effect Snow Warning.

.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

NYZ001>003-010-011-013-014-251900-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Northern Erie-Genesee-Livingston-Ontario-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM EST MONDAY...

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

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

   Winter Weather Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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

   Winter Weather Advisory.

.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

NYZ004-251900-
Wayne-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM EST MONDAY...
...LAKESHORE FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MONDAY TO 7 AM EST
TUESDAY...

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

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

   Winter Weather Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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

   Winter Weather Advisory.
   Lakeshore Flood Warning.

.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-LOZ030-251900-
Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-Lower Niagara River-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.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

LOZ042>045-062>065-251900-
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-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM MONDAY TO 4 AM EST TUESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Ontario.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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

   Gale Warning.

.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

LEZ040-041-251900-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM MONDAY TO 1 AM EST TUESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

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

   Gale Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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

   Gale Warning.

.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

SLZ022-024-251900-
Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg-
Saint Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Saint Regis-
153 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the New York waters of the
Saint Lawrence River.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.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

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 lake-effect snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Lake-Effect Snow, Wyoming

When: December 24, 6:00 PM EST to December 27, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Wyoming forecast zone
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.702, -78.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lake-Effect Snow, Southern Erie

When: December 24, 6:00 PM EST to December 27, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Southern Erie forecast zone
Property damage: $65,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 42.758, -78.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lake-Effect Snow, Chautauqua

When: December 24, 6:00 PM EST to December 27, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Chautauqua forecast zone
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.303, -79.406 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lake-Effect Snow, Cattaraugus

When: December 24, 6:00 PM EST to December 27, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Cattaraugus forecast zone
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.249, -78.679 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lake-Effect Snow, Allegany

When: December 24, 6:00 PM EST to December 27, 12:30 AM EST
Where: Allegany forecast zone
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.257, -78.028 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lake-Effect Snow, Oswego

When: December 24, 10:00 PM EST to December 27, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Oswego forecast zone
Property damage: $125,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.464, -76.209 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lake-Effect Snow, Jefferson

When: December 24, 10:00 PM EST to December 27, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Property damage: $70,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.999, -76.052 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lake-Effect Snow, Lewis

When: December 24, 10:00 PM EST to December 27, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Lewis forecast zone
Property damage: $70,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.785, -75.449 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Lake-Effect Snow: Heavy snow in bands downwind of a large lake as cold air crosses warmer water.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in New York in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in New York, December 2017

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 731126, 731127, 731128, 731129, 731130, 731123, 731124, 731125.