A historic lake effect blizzard occurred northeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario during the Christmas holiday weekend. The combination of high winds in excess of 70 mph and heavy lake effect snow resulted in devastating impacts across western New York and also east of Lake Ontario from December 23 through December 27.
Every event with a place to put it; 24 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS BUF wrote it up.
A historic lake effect blizzard occurred northeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario during the Christmas holiday weekend. The combination of high winds in excess of 70 mph and heavy lake effect snow resulted in devastating impacts across western New York and also east of Lake Ontario from December 23 through December 27.
Warmer air initially was in place over the majority of the region with widespread middle and upper 30s being common in the pre-dawn hours on December 23. Bombogenesis occurred with an incoming surface low pressure center that crossed the Great Lakes and brought abruptly colder and vastly windier conditions into the area behind its adjoining cold front. Rain quickly transitioned to snow immediately behind the front, while temperatures and wind chills went into a free fall. This dramatic drop in temperature led to a flash freeze behind the front Friday morning, and by noon, temperatures across western New York were in the teens with wind chills already well below zero.
Temperatures off the surface took a tumble Friday and yielding strong lake-induced instability over the fully open waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. This produced ideal lapse rates needed for lake effect processes. Meanwhile, a 240 degree flow over the lakes produced a long fetch, particularly over Lake Erie. Finally, unidirectional winds with speeds of 50-60 knots in a well-mixed boundary layer led to instantaneous blizzard conditions across the Niagara Frontier and Northtowns northeast of Lake Erie and across Jefferson County northeast of Lake Ontario. In fact, blizzard conditions started at the Buffalo Airport at 8:39 AM and at 1:44 PM at Watertown Airport on Friday, December 23. The strong winds led to wider and longer lake bands across the region. Due to the extreme conditions, snowflakes were shredded into fragments as they fell. This led to terrible visibility and impossible driving conditions. The highest wind gusts were recorded Friday morning northeast of Lake Erie and Friday afternoon northeast of Lake Ontario. Some of the highest wind gusts include 79 mph at the base of the Buffalo Skyway, 72 mph at the Buffalo Airport, 74 mph at Niagara Falls, 59 mph at Watertown Airport, and 54 mph at Fort Drum Airfield. The strength of these winds led to widespread power outages northeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario including the cities of Buffalo and Watertown.
The lake bands shifted slightly to the north Friday night, which compounded the impacts across the Buffalo and Watertown Metro areas. Snow added up quickly northeast of the Lakes with totals of 1-2 feet across northern Erie, southern Niagara, and northern Jefferson counties by Saturday morning. A daily snowfall record of 22.3 inches at Buffalo Airport was recorded on December 23. Snowfall rates were very hard to quantify due to the strong winds. The lake band shifted slightly north across Niagara, Orleans, and northern Erie counties Saturday. The backing winds led to a shorter fetch across Lake Ontario, therefore the band weakened across northern Jefferson county Saturday afternoon. After 24.5 consecutive hours of blizzard conditions, the blizzard ended at the Watertown Airport at 2:25 PM, December 24. Meanwhile northeast of Lake Erie, southwest winds continued to blow 50 to 60 mph Saturday with continued blizzard conditions, even for locations just outside of the bands due to blowing and drifting snow. Snowfall totals closed in on 3 feet at the Buffalo Airport by Saturday evening.
The blizzard ended at the Buffalo Airport at 9:54 PM on December 24. By Sunday morning, a shortwave trough moved across the eastern Great Lakes, which finally led to a notable wind shift. Winds further weakened as they veered westerly. This wind shift led to a greater fetch off of Lake Ontario, which allowed for lake effect snow to intensify across Jefferson County and eventually the Tug Hill. Meanwhile, east of Lake Erie, lake effect bands moved south and settled across the Southtowns by late Saturday night. Snowfall rates of two to three inches per hour were persistent east of Lake Erie Saturday night through Sunday. Snowfall rates of three to four inches per hour were estimated across the Tug Hill by Sunday. Snow totals surpassed 2 feet across Jefferson County by Sunday evening. The rising sun showed the impact of the historic blizzard across the Northtowns Sunday morning. Scenes included high drifts of snow, ongoing power outages, untouched roads, closed interstates, and hundreds of stranded cars.
A deep trough persisted across the eastern United States with cold air still providing conditions ideal for lake effect processes across the eastern Great Lakes Sunday night into Monday. Boundary layer flow backed to the west-southwest across Lake Erie late Sunday night, and the lake band moved back north through the City of Buffalo with snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour. The band continued to move north and weaken due to an increase in wind shear and shorter fetch. An intense lake band persisted east of Lake Ontario with three to four inch per hour rates across southern Jefferson and Lewis counties Sunday night into Monday. A wind shift to the southwest weakened and moved the lake band into northern Jefferson County by Monday afternoon. The last hurrah came Monday night when synoptic moisture reinvigorated the lake bands northeast of both Lakes. By Tuesday morning, the lake effect event ended as strong subsidence moved into the Great Lakes region. Storm total snowfall amounts exceeded 50 inches northeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
The historic blizzard and lake effect snow event spanned five days and included the Christmas holiday. This high impact event led to school and government closures on Friday, December 23, impossible travel, and widespread power outages across the Buffalo and Watertown Metro areas. The blizzard led to the loss of lives in Niagara and Erie counties. The halt to the transportation sector included closures on the New York State Thruway (I-90) from Rochester, NY, to the Pennsylvania state line and travel bans across Niagara and Erie counties that lasted 1-2 days after blizzard conditions ended. The Buffalo and Watertown Airports closed for multiple days during the holiday weekend.
Selected storm total snowfall reports from this five day event include 59.7 inches in North Tonawanda, 51.9 inches at the Buffalo Airport, 48.3 inches at Henderson Harbor, 47.2 inches in Watertown, 50.8 inches in Deferiet, 14.4 inches in Highmarket, 9 inches in Richland, 8.2 inches in Brockport, 19.3 inches in Warsaw, 16 inches in Batavia, 44.6 inches in Lake View, 37 inches in Orchard Park, 32.5 inches in Kenmore, and 9.6 inches in Mayville.
Additionally, with the extremely strong wind gusts, the fourth largest seiche on record on Lake Erie occurred. A notable seiche was evident on Lake Ontario, as well. Heavy freezing spray from the lake ensconced lakeshore homes with ice, and water ended up closing Route 5 in Hamburg. Lake Erie at Buffalo peaked at 10.7 feet and was in flood for 17 hours. The seiche on Lake Ontario likewise raised the water level 2 feet at Cape Vincent.
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 22, 9:31 PM EST, 3 hours 9 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
931 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
An intense storm system will impact western and north central New
York tonight right through the Christmas weekend. Rain and snow this
evening will become all rain through the overnight. Strong localized
downslope winds will then impact areas east of Lake Ontario tonight.
A strong cold front arrives Friday morning which will change
precipitation rapidly over to snow with increasingly widespread
strong winds developing. Very strong winds are expected to continue
Friday night and Saturday with wind-driven heavy lake effect snows
northeast of the Lakes creating blizzard conditions. Heavy lake
snows will last through at least Christmas Day, possibly lingering
into the first part of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
...Strong to Damaging Downslope Winds East of Lake Ontario
Tonight...
Radar imagery showing several waves of rain moving from south to
north across the region this evening in the warm advection and
moisture transport regime ahead of a rapidly strengthening system
over the midwest. A few areas of wet snow are still found east of
Lake Ontario where temperatures are near freezing, but this will
change to rain overnight as temperatures continue to rise. A dry
slot pinched towards WNY may taper off this rain before a cold front
reaches our doorsteps early tomorrow morning. Average basin rainfall
amounts will be 0.25-0.50 inches, with localized amounts approaching
an inch across the eastern Lake Ontario region. Downslope areas may
also see lighter rainfall amounts.
The much larger concern for tonight will come from dangerously
strong downslope winds across the northern and northwestern facing
slopes of the Tug Hill plateau. An impressive 80+ knot low level jet
passes directly over the Eastern Lake Ontario region. Normally
within a warm advection regime these winds would remain aloft above
a pronounced inversion, but in areas where the winds are
perpendicular to surface barriers such as ridges or plateaus,
downsloping can mechanically mix/transport these winds to the
surface. This will be the case north and northwest of the Tug Hill
plateau, and in this particular case, to a lesser degree along the
Chautauqua Ridge where there will be much lower wind speeds just off
the deck. The strong southeasterly flow will also be funneled down
the Black River valley, enhancing winds in that area as well. Thus,
a High Wind Warning has been issued for the eastern Lake Ontario
region from this evening through midday Friday for winds that could
gust up to 65 mph.
A non-diurnal temperature trend can be expected tonight due to the
moderately strong warm advection found ahead of the approaching cold
front. Mercury readings that begin the night in the upper 30s (low
to mid 30s higher terrain east of Lake Ontario), will climb at least
several degrees through the night.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
...A DANGEROUS WINTER STORM WILL IMPACT THE REGION FRIDAY THROUGH
MUCH OF THE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND...
Thinking has changed little as BLIZZARD conditions are expected
downwind of both Lake Erie as well as for Jefferson county off Lake
Ontario. These areas will experience the strongest southwest winds.
The expectation is that the combination of lake effect snow and very
strong winds will produce blizzard conditions across the Niagara
Frontier starting Friday afternoon and lasting into Saturday night,
with these same blizzard conditions starting in Jefferson county by
Friday afternoon and lasting into Sunday morning.
A trough will dig across the Mississippi Valley, becoming negatively
tilted with a surface cyclone intensifying across Southern Ontario
Friday. Surface pressure drops rapidly (about 20 mb in only 12
hours) to around 972mb, with the 12Z GFS/ECMWF eventually
intensifying the low to around 962mb. The low will pivot across
southern Quebec as it becomes vertically stacked Friday night and
Saturday. An arctic cold front will plow across the region Friday as
this low rapidly intensifies.
Daybreak Friday, the Arctic front tied to the intensifying low will
be entering far western New York. The front will quickly make it to
eastern Lake Ontario region by around midday. Along the front,
expect an abrupt change from rain to snow with intensity increased
due to frontogenesis along the front. An inch or two of snow could
occur then conditions will worsen as temperatures plummet some 20-25
degrees into the teens by afternoon, then into the single digits
west and teens east by nightfall. Expect a rapid freeze of the snow
and any slush, leading to icy conditions. Strong gusty winds will
also arrive with the front, with cold air advection allowing winds
aloft to readily mix to the surface. Expect wind gusts of 60 to 70
mph near Lake Erie, from the Niagara Frontier to Monroe county, to
Jefferson County with gusts to 50 mph inland Friday and Friday night.
It's important to note that multiple hazards are addressed in our
WSW product, including the flash freeze, strong winds, snow
accumulation and dangerously cold wind chills. Blowing snow will
quickly become an issue, due to the strong winds and very dry snow.
Moving into Friday night through Saturday morning, this is when the
worst conditions in terms of a combined hazard from heavy snow,
blowing snow, and localized blizzard conditions will occur. Travel
will be very difficult, but more likely impossible where the
heaviest snow and strongest winds are occurring concurrently. Winds
will be very strong on Friday night in the mixed layer that are even
shown to exceed 65 kts at times. This is the period when wind damage
will potentially be the highest and power outages could become
widespread. This is a real concern especially with the cold
temperature expected for the holiday weekend.
A note about the coverage of snow Friday night into Saturday
morning. Given such strong winds, do not anticipate a classic
narrower plume of heavy lake enhanced snow for this time frame.
Instead a more widespread footprint to the moderate to heavy snow is
more likely as the strong winds will spray the heaviest snow around
and cause locations of heaviest snow to vary based on where
localized convergence occurs which will be hard to tell given such
strong winds. That and lower SLRs due to such strong winds
(dendrites will be shattered to pieces leaving a more fine snow
type) is not good news though as even where snow is not heavy, there
will be a more widespread impact with blowing, drifting snow leading
to whiteout conditions. Although storm totals will be significantly
more, expect amounts in the 6 to 15 inch range across the Niagara
Frontier through Saturday morning, although this will be more than
enough to result in significant issues.
A very tight surface pressure gradient will remain in place across
our forecast area on the day before Christmas, so while the winds
should diminish as bit by way of a weaker LLJ especially later in
the day, they will still be strong enough to possibly cause issues
and certainly to support continued at least areas of blowing snow.
The more efficient (fluffy) snowfall is expected Saturday through
Sunday. Winds will continue to gradually diminish through Sunday,
with the impacts of blowing snow also diminishing. Even through
blowing snow impacts will diminish the blizzard conditions Sunday
there still will be lake effect snow and other impacts lasting
through Sunday and into Sunday night off Lake Erie.
Storm total snow amounts will be almost entirely from lake effect
snow, with 1 to 3 feet of snow expected northeast of Lake Erie and
perhaps as much as 4 feet off Ontario. Amounts will drop off
dramatically outside of the band, although lake snow will carry
quite far inland due to the strong winds, with some upslope
enhancement across higher terrain.
It will be quite cold with Saturdays highs ranging from the single
digits over the Srn Tier to the teens and low 20s elsewhere
resulting wind chills falling to as low as 10 to 25 degrees below
zero. Again, this is why any power outages that last for longer
period of time could have bigger impact. Christmas Day will remain
cold with highs only in the teens to low 20s and winds to 30 mph
generating wind chills of 10 below to just a few degrees abv zero.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Shortwave trough rounding the base of the broader longwave trough
will provide one last shot of moisture on Monday. This will keep
lake effect snows going east and northeast of the lakes with
potential additional accumulations into Monday evening. After
that...lake effect snows will then begin to diminish significantly,
especially on Tuesday as environmental conditions becoming less
favorable with high pressure building into the region.
Wednesday and beyond...it looks like winter will take a break and
all but disappear from the lower 48 as we head towards the weekend.
That said...this might be it for the next week or so, at least in
terms of cold and winter weather. Highs by the weekend are forecast
to climb well into the 40s, we even could see some 50F readings or
higher. Looks like we are going to melt some or a lot of the snow
from this event. Stay tuned!
&&
.AVIATION /03Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Periods of rain will continue to cross the region tonight from south
to north as a plume of deep moisture moves north ahead of a rapidly
deepening system over the midwest. CIGS will deteriorate to MVFR/IFR
overnight as moisture deepens. Winds will increase overnight, with
gusts of 25-35 knots areawide and locally over 50 knots across the
eastern Lake Ontario region, especially in downslope areas north of
the Tug Hill Plateau.
A powerful cold front will cross the area from west to east Friday
with rain changing to snow in a matter of minutes as temperatures
fall sharply. Lake effect snow will quickly develop northeast of
Lake Erie behind the cold front by midday, and during the afternoon
northeast of Lake Ontario. The combination of snow and blowing snow
will create very poor visibility of LIFR or lower northeast of the
lakes. Winds will gust into the 35-45 knot range areawide, and up to
55 knots northeast of Lake Erie creating blizzard conditions in some
areas.
Outlook...
Saturday...Very windy with snow and severe blowing and drifting
snow. IFR/LIFR flight conditions in bands of lake effect snow to the
northeast and east of the lakes.
Sunday...Localized IFR/LIFR flight conditions in bands of lake
effect snow to the northeast and east of the lakes.
Monday...Localized IFR/LIFR within lake effect snow east of the
lakes.
Tuesday...A return to VFR with lake snows ending.
&&
.MARINE...
Southeast winds will increase tonight as a rapidly deepening low
approaches from the southwest, especially across central and eastern
Lake Ontario.
A strong and wide-reaching storm will bring very strong winds across
the Great Lakes Friday into the weekend. There will be high end
gales with frequent storm force gusts, or possibly even outright
storm force sustained winds, for which a Storm Warning for Lake Erie
and Lake Ontario remain in effect as outlined below. Wave heights
may exceed 20 feet on both Lakes during this time. The strong winds
and plunging temperatures which will also pose a potential heavy
freezing spray hazard for Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.
Thus, a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning remains in effect for Lake
Erie and Lake Ontario.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Intense winds behind the cold front Friday will produce a
SIGNIFICANT seiche event on Lake Erie which will rival the highest
lake levels ever experienced. Sustained winds to at least 45 knots
with frequent gusts over storm force in the central and eastern
basin will push the lake level well above flood stage at Buffalo.
Once the winds start ramping up Friday morning there will be a very
rapid rise in the Lake Erie water level at the eastern end of the
basin. Lake Erie water levels at Buffalo are expected to reach peak
between 9 am Friday morning and 3 am Saturday morning, with the
potential for lakeshore flooding continuing through Saturday.
Peak lake levels exceeding 11 feet above low water datum at Buffalo
are almost certain, with even the potential to exceed 12 feet
looking quite likely. If this were to happen it would be near
or even break the previous high lake level at Buffalo set back
on 12/2/1985 of 12.08 feet above of low water datum. For
historical perspective, peak winds for that event reached 66
mph, with this event we are looking at peak gusts at or
exceeding these speeds. Only question is the actual level of the
lake itself. The lake currently is at 2.5 feet above low water
datum at Buffalo which is just under a foot above the long term
monthly mean for December.
The two most recent highest events at Buffalo were 11.12 feet on
11/15/2020 and 10.6 feet on 11/1/2019.
Lake levels this high will result in significant and possibly
extensive lakeshore flooding and damage along the Lake Erie shore,
including Canalside, Buffalo Riverworks, the Hoover Beach and
Woodlawn areas of Hamburg, Dunkirk and Sunset Bay areas, and Route 5
in Hamburg.
Flooding will also occur along the Niagara River. The elevated
Lake Erie water results in more water flowing down the Niagara
River, which can cause flooding along the riverside in locations
such as South Grand Island, and Cayuga Island in the city of
Niagara Falls.
Very strong southwest gales to 40-45 knots with storm force gusts
will also bring the potential for lakeshore flooding and shoreline
erosion to the eastern end of Lake Ontario Friday afternoon through
Sunday morning. Lake levels are below normal, which will lower the
potential for lakeshore flooding, but with onshore winds this strong
along with expected considerable wave action the threat is a bit
more elevated for this event.
Temperatures in the teens and single digits will result in freezing
spray along the lakeshore areas, and water from lakeshore flooding
will likely freeze after the water levels subside.
&&
.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...Blizzard Warning from 7 AM Friday to 7 AM EST Sunday for
NYZ001-002-010-011-085.
Lakeshore Flood Warning from 7 AM Friday to 7 PM EST Saturday
for NYZ001-010-019-085.
Winter Storm Warning from 10 AM Friday to 7 AM EST Sunday for
NYZ003.
Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM Friday to 7 PM EST Saturday
for NYZ004>006-013-014.
High Wind Warning until 1 PM EST Friday for NYZ006>008.
Lakeshore Flood Warning from 1 PM Friday to 7 AM EST Sunday
for NYZ006-007.
Blizzard Warning from 1 PM Friday to 1 PM EST Sunday for
NYZ007.
Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM Friday to 7 AM EST Monday for
NYZ008.
Winter Storm Warning from 7 AM Friday to 1 AM EST Monday for
NYZ012-019-020.
Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM Friday to 7 PM EST Sunday
for NYZ021.
MARINE...Gale Warning from 7 AM Friday to 7 PM EST Saturday for LEZ020.
Storm Warning from 7 AM Friday to 10 AM EST Saturday for
LEZ040-041.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning from 1 PM Friday to 4 PM EST
Sunday for LEZ040-041.
Gale Warning from 7 AM Friday to 7 PM EST Saturday
for LOZ030.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning from 1 PM Friday to 4 PM EST
Sunday for LOZ042>045-062>065.
Storm Warning from 1 PM Friday to 7 PM EST Saturday for
LOZ042>045-062>065.
Gale Warning from 1 PM Friday to 7 PM EST Saturday
for SLZ022-024.
&&
SYNOPSIS...AR/Hitchcock/JM/Thomas
NEAR TERM...Hitchcock/JM/Thomas
SHORT TERM...Apffel/JLA/TMA
LONG TERM...AR
AVIATION...Hitchcock
MARINE...AR/JM/Thomas
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...TMAHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Buffalo NY 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 NYZ008-231930- Lewis- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY... ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST MONDAY... 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. High Wind Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Winter Storm Warning. Additionally, expect a warmup and widespread rain into the first part of Friday. The warmup and rain along with melting snow could result in minor flooding. .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 NYZ007-231930- Jefferson- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY... ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 1 PM EST SUNDAY... ...LAKESHORE FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY... 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. High Wind Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Blizzard Warning. Lakeshore Flood Warning. Additionally, expect a warmup and widespread rain into the first part of Friday. The warmup and rain along with melting snow could result in minor flooding. .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 NYZ021-231930- Allegany- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. Sharply colder conditions and a flash freeze Friday along with a rain changeover back to snow Friday. There will also be potentially strong winds over 50 mph at times Friday into Saturday. The strong winds combined with lake effect snow extending well inland off Lake Erie could lead to considerable blowing snow and reduced visibility. .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 NYZ002-011-231930- Orleans-Genesee- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Blizzard 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 NYZ001-010-085-231930- Niagara-Northern Erie-Southern Erie- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY... ...LAKESHORE FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Blizzard 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 NYZ004-005-013-014-231930- Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Livingston-Ontario- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. Sharply colder conditions and a flash freeze Friday along with a rain changeover back to snow Friday. There will also be potentially strong winds over 50 mph at times Friday into Saturday. The strong winds combined with lake effect snow extending well inland off Lake Erie could lead to considerable blowing snow and reduced visibility. .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 NYZ003-231930- Monroe- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. Sharply colder conditions and a flash freeze Friday along with a rain changeover back to snow Friday. .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 NYZ006-231930- Oswego- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... ...LAKESHORE FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY... 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. High Wind Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Winter Weather Advisory. Lakeshore Flood Warning. Expect a warmup with widespread rain into the first part of Friday. The warmup and rain along with melting snow could result in minor flooding. The rain will be followed by sharply colder conditions later Friday with a flash freeze along with a changeover back to snow later Friday and Friday evening. Potentially strong winds will then follow for Friday night and Saturday. Potentially significant lake effect snow is also expected to develop during the weekend...although the highest chance for the significant lake snows will be over far northern Oswego county and across the Tug Hill. .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 NYZ019-231930- Chautauqua- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...LAKESHORE FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 1 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Lakeshore Flood Warning. 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 NYZ012-020-231930- Wyoming-Cattaraugus- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 1 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. 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 LEZ020-LOZ030-231930- Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-Lower Niagara River- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. 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 SLZ022-024-231930- Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg- Saint Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Saint Regis- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the New York waters of the Saint Lawrence River. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. 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 LOZ042>045-062>065-231930- 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- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... ...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 4 PM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Ontario. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Storm Warning. Heavy Freezing Spray 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 LEZ040-041-231930- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo- 221 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022 ...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM EST SATURDAY... ...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 4 PM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Storm Warning. Heavy Freezing Spray 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
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 winter storm, 7 blizzard, 4 lakeshore flood, 3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 3 | Female | In Water | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 55 | Male | Other | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 43 | Female | Other | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 52 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 73 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 69 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 56 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 73 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 66 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 44 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 63 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 53 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-27 | 62 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 46 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-26 | 55 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 58 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 66 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 26 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-28 | 57 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 84 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-26 | 66 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-26 | 65 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-26 | 46 | Female | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 50 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 63 | Female | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 67 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-27 | 87 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-26 | 75 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-28 | 74 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 87 | Female | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 55 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-28 | 73 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-26 | 74 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-27 | 41 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 73 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-23 | 22 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 64 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-24 | 65 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | 93 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Blizzard, Northern Erie | 2022-12-25 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct | |
| Blizzard, Niagara | 2022-12-25 | 27 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Genesee | 2022-12-25 | 27 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Chautauqua | 2022-12-25 | 27 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Blizzard, Jefferson | 2022-12-25 | 27 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New York in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, December 2022
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1070881, 1070882, 1070883, 1070871, 1070872, 1070873, 1070874, 1070860, 1070861, 1070862, 1070868, 1070863, 1070875, 1070876, 1070864, 1070877, 1070866, 1070865, 1070878, 1070879, 1070867, 1070869, 1070880, 1070870.