Lake-Effect Snow, Oswego
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM EST to March 7, 9:00 AM EST
- Where
- Oswego forecast zone
- Reported by
- Social Media
- Coordinates
- 43.464, -76.209 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Lake-Effect Snow in New York, March 5 to 7, 2019
A mid-level trough moved across the region, providing a second push of mid-level cold air for the week. This allowed for inversion heights to increase above 10 kft with flow behind the mid-level trough quickly organizing a pronounced band of snow off of Lake Ontario.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it; 3 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
- 3
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.
A mid-level trough moved across the region, providing a second push of mid-level cold air for the week. This allowed for inversion heights to increase above 10 kft with flow behind the mid-level trough quickly organizing a pronounced band of snow off of Lake Ontario. Initial southwesterly flow focused lake snows across Jefferson County, but the band shifted rapidly southward and settled southeast of the lake by March 6. The result was lighter accumulations due to a shorter residence time over Jefferson County but much higher amounts farther south along the southeast shore of Lake Ontario, where the band lingered much longer. Snowfall totals for the event included 21.8 inches near Altamar, 21 inches in Redfield, 14 inches in Hannibal, 15 inches in Sterling, and 10 inches in Red Creek.
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 Mar 5, 7:31 PM EST, 29 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 5, 7:31 PM EST, 29 minutes before
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</html>Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 5, 12:48 PM EST, 7 hours 12 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Buffalo NY 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 NYZ007-008-061800- Jefferson-Lewis- 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM 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. Winter Weather Advisory. .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 NYZ013-014-021-061800- Livingston-Ontario-Allegany- 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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 NYZ001>003-061800- Niagara-Orleans-Monroe- 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 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. Winter Weather Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. 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 NYZ004-005-061800- Wayne-Northern Cayuga- 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST THURSDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north 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...Wednesday through Monday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm 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 NYZ006-061800- Oswego- 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST THURSDAY... 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...Wednesday through Monday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm 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 NYZ012-019-020-085-061800- Wyoming-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Southern Erie- 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM 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. Winter Weather Advisory. .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 NYZ010-011-061800- Northern Erie-Genesee- 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST THIS EVENING... 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...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>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-061800- 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- 1248 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the New York waters of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Saint Lawrence River. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Mar 5, 4:36 PM EST, 3 hours 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
436 PM EST TUE MAR 5 2019
NYZ010-085-052230-
Southern Erie-Northern Erie-
436 PM EST TUE MAR 5 2019
...A BAND OF LAKE EFFECT SNOW WILL AFFECT CENTRAL ERIE COUNTY...
Snow will continue to fall across the region through the evening
commute. This snowfall along with winds gusting to 35 mph at times
will impact the evening commute across metro Buffalo to the Buffalo
Airport and points south. Plan on snow covered roads and slippery
travel conditions, along with poor visibility during this time.
Locations impacted include...
Buffalo, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Lackawanna, Depew, Lancaster,
Hamburg, East Aurora, Williamsville, Evans, Elma, Eden, Marilla,
Orchard Park, Erie Basin Marina, Small Boat Harbor, Alden, Blasdell
and Angola.
This includes Interstate 90 between exits 57A and 49.
Visibilities will drop quickly to a half mile at times in this band
of lake effect snow.
LAT...LON 4264 7916 4267 7912 4272 7909 4276 7898
4280 7892 4284 7893 4291 7890 4294 7891
4301 7848 4274 7850 4260 7918
WelchSpecial weather statement, Mar 5, 5:36 PM EST, 2 hours 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
536 PM EST TUE MAR 5 2019
NYZ007-060000-
Jefferson-
536 PM EST TUE MAR 5 2019
...A BAND OF HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW WILL AFFECT JEFFERSON COUNTY...
At 533 PM EST, A band of lake effect snow producing snow fall rates
of 1 to 2 inches per hour over eastern Lake Ontario at 5:30 PM will
come ashore across much of Jefferson county between 5:45 and 6:15
PM. Travel conditions will deteriorate significantly during this
time and will persist til about 7 PM.
Locations impacted include...
Watertown, Fort Drum, Stony Point, Clayton, Dexter, Glen Park,
Herrings, Adams Center, Henderson Harbor, Wellesley Island State
Park, Cedar Point State Park, Southwick Beach State Park, Sackets
Harbor, Henderson, Black River, Smithville, Philadelphia, Brownville,
Theresa and Cape Vincent.
This includes Interstate 81 between exits 42 and 51.
Visibilities will drop quickly to less than a quarter of a mile in
this band of lake effect snow. The heavy snow will be accompanied by
wind gusts to near 30 mph.
Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be
prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra
time when traveling.
LAT...LON 4408 7552 4396 7568 4373 7627 4378 7629
4383 7636 4387 7635 4384 7644 4387 7650
4391 7650 4396 7644 4396 7634 4402 7636
4405 7642 4410 7643 4414 7635 4420 7631
4422 7619 4424 7617 4429 7615 4435 7601
RSHSpecial weather statement, Mar 5, 5:39 PM EST, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
539 PM EST TUE MAR 5 2019
NYZ010>012-019-085-060000-
Chautauqua-Southern Erie-Wyoming-Genesee-Northern Erie-
539 PM EST TUE MAR 5 2019
...AN AREA OF HEAVY SNOW WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN WYOMING...CENTRAL
ERIE...NORTHEASTERN CHAUTAUQUA AND WESTERN GENESEE COUNTIES...
At 530 PM EST, several narrow bands of lake effect snow extend
downwind of Lake Erie. The northern band of snow extended from the
City of Buffalo towards the Buffalo airport and out towards
Oakfield, while the southern band of snow extended from near Angola
to Orchard Park to Corfu. Winds gusting to 35 mph will create
blowing snow, that combined with the falling snow will create
visibilities that will drop quickly to a half mile or less.
The falling snow, generally less than an inch, will create slippery
spots on roads and will slow the afternoon commute.
This band of snow will continue to drop southward across the Buffalo
Southtowns and towards Ski Country this evening.
LAT...LON 4240 7950 4253 7936 4259 7919 4272 7909
4280 7892 4284 7893 4312 7830 4282 7830
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 229DEG 32KT 4289 7874
ThomasLocal storm report, Mar 5, 6:27 PM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
627 PM EST TUE MAR 05 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM SNOW WATERTOWN 43.97N 75.91W
03/05/2019 M4.6 INCH JEFFERSON NY TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
EVENT NUMBER BUF1901181
THOMASThe radar
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
Event by event
3 lake-effect snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Lake-Effect Snow, Northern Cayuga
- When
- March 6, 12:00 AM EST to March 7, 9:00 AM EST
- Where
- Northern Cayuga forecast zone
- Reported by
- Social Media
- Coordinates
- 43.010, -76.574 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Lake-Effect Snow, Wayne
- When
- March 6, 12:00 AM EST to March 7, 9:00 AM EST
- Where
- Wayne forecast zone
- Reported by
- Post Office
- Coordinates
- 43.066, -76.978 (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
- Winter Weather in Ohio, March 5, 2019
- Cold in Wisconsin, March 5, 2019
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in California, March 5 to 8, 2019
- Cold in North Carolina, March 5 to 6, 2019
- Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Colorado, March 5 to 7, 2019
- Flooding and High Wind in California, March 5 to 6, 2019
- Flash Flooding and Heavy Snow in California, March 5 to 6, 2019
- Waterspouts in Gulf of Mexico, March 5, 2019
- Heavy Snow and Heavy Rain in California, March 5 to 8, 2019
- Cold in West Virginia, March 5, 2019
- Heavy Snow and Heavy Rain in Nevada, March 5 to 8, 2019
- Frost and Freeze in Oregon, March 5, 2019
More
Every storm in New York in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, March 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 813760, 813761, 813762.