Winter Storm, Jefferson
- When
- January 28, 10:00 PM EST to January 31, 11:30 PM EST
- Where
- Jefferson forecast zone
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 43.999, -76.052 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Blizzard and Winter Storm in New York, January 28 to 31, 2019
Due to a warm January, very little ice cover existed on Lake Erie and by extension, Lake Ontario. While water temperatures were cold, open water combined with the influx of the first Arctic outbreak of the season combined with nearly stationary flow for two days yielded strong lake effect snow bands behind the passage of a cold front.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it; 14 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
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 14
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.
Due to a warm January, very little ice cover existed on Lake Erie and by extension, Lake Ontario. While water temperatures were cold, open water combined with the influx of the first Arctic outbreak of the season combined with nearly stationary flow for two days yielded strong lake effect snow bands behind the passage of a cold front. Very gusty conditions allowed for these bands to develop localized blizzard conditions for large portions of the day in the Buffalo and Watertown areas before the wind settled down to just below blizzard criteria again. During the strongest portion of the event, wind gusts in heavy snow were reported up to 47 mph at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, 45 mph in Wyoming, 40 mph at Niagara Falls Airport, and 43 mph at the Watertown Airport with consistent visibilities during a period around the highest gusts of one quarter of a mile or less as observed on webcams or automated observations. Total snowfall over the multi-day event was 37.6 inches in Watertown, 19 inches in Harrisville, 11.7 inches in North Boston, 20 inches in Attica, 14 inches in Corfu, and 21 inches in Buffalo. A massive snow removal effort was mobilized utilizing state resources from as far away as Long Island to cope with widespread blowing and drifting snow that made the already heavy snow amounts extreme difficult to deal with, particularly given that temperatures had fallen off toward 0 degrees by the end of the event.
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 Jan 28, 9:50 PM EST, 10 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 28, 9:50 PM EST, 10 minutes before
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</html>Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 28, 2:29 PM EST, 7 hours 31 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Buffalo NY 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 NYZ019-020-291930- Chautauqua-Cattaraugus- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Chill Watch. Winter Storm Watch. .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 NYZ010-011-291930- Northern Erie-Genesee- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM TUESDAY TO 7 AM EST THURSDAY... ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. Wind Chill Watch. .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 NYZ012-085-291930- Wyoming-Southern Erie- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM TUESDAY TO 7 PM EST THURSDAY... ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. Wind Chill Watch. .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>003-013-021-291930- Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Livingston-Allegany- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Chill Watch. .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 NYZ004-005-014-291930- Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Ontario- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Chill Watch. .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 NYZ007-008-291930- Jefferson-Lewis- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST FRIDAY... 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. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. Dangerously cold wind chills are possible Wednesday through Thursday as a bitterly cold arctic airmass combines with strong winds. .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 NYZ006-291930- Oswego- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST FRIDAY... ...WIND CHILL WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... 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. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. Wind Chill Watch. .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 LEZ040-041-291930- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. A deepening area of low pressure will remain to the north of Lake Ontario midweek with a strengthening pressure gradient that may bring gale force winds to the Lakes Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening. .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-SLZ022-024-291930- Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-Lower Niagara River- Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg- Saint Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Saint Regis- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and Saint Lawrence River. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. The probability of 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>065-291930- 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- 229 PM EST Mon Jan 28 2019 ...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Ontario. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Gale Watch. .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.
Event by event
8 winter storm, 6 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Winter Storm, Oswego
- When
- January 28, 10:00 PM EST to January 31, 11:30 PM EST
- Where
- Oswego forecast zone
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 43.464, -76.209 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Lewis
- When
- January 28, 10:00 PM EST to January 31, 11:30 PM EST
- Where
- Lewis forecast zone
- Reported by
- COOP Observer
- Coordinates
- 43.785, -75.449 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Niagara
- When
- January 29, 10:30 AM EST to January 30, 12:00 PM EST
- Where
- Niagara forecast zone
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 43.173, -78.691 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Northern Erie
- When
- January 29, 10:30 AM EST to January 31, 7:00 PM EST
- Where
- Northern Erie forecast zone
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 42.758, -78.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Orleans
- When
- January 29, 10:30 AM EST to January 30, 12:00 PM EST
- Where
- Orleans forecast zone
- Reported by
- COOP Observer
- Coordinates
- 43.251, -78.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Wyoming
- When
- January 29, 4:00 PM EST to January 31, 7:00 PM EST
- Where
- Wyoming forecast zone
- Reported by
- COOP Observer
- Coordinates
- 42.702, -78.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Genesee
- When
- January 29, 4:00 PM EST to January 31, 7:00 PM EST
- Where
- Genesee forecast zone
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 43.001, -78.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Blizzard, Northern Erie
- When
- January 30, 3:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
- Where
- Northern Erie forecast zone
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 42.758, -78.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Blizzard, Genesee
- When
- January 30, 3:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
- Where
- Genesee forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 43.001, -78.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Blizzard, Wyoming
- When
- January 30, 3:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
- Where
- Wyoming forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 42.702, -78.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Blizzard, Southern Erie
- When
- January 30, 3:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
- Where
- Southern Erie forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 42.758, -78.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Blizzard, Jefferson
- When
- January 30, 4:00 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
- Where
- Jefferson forecast zone
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 43.999, -76.052 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Blizzard, Lewis
- When
- January 30, 4:00 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
- Where
- Lewis forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 43.785, -75.449 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
What these are
- Winter Storm
- A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
- Blizzard
- Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Indiana, January 28 to 29, 2019
- Strong Wind in Hawaii, January 28 to 30, 2019
- High Wind in Nebraska, January 28, 2019
- Extreme Cold in Minnesota, January 28 to 31, 2019
- Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Michigan, January 28, 2019
- Extreme Cold in North Dakota, January 28 to 31, 2019
- Winter Storm in Wisconsin, January 28, 2019
- Winter Storm in Michigan, January 28, 2019
- High Wind in Nebraska, January 28, 2019
- High Wind in Missouri, January 28, 2019
- High Wind in Nebraska, January 28, 2019
- Winter Storm in Michigan, January 28, 2019
More
Every storm in New York in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, January 2019
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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 804462, 804463, 804465, 804460, 804464, 804468, 804466, 804467, 804469, 804470, 804471, 804472, 804473, 804474.