New York, 2025

Winter Storm in New York, December 26 to 27, 2025

December 26 to 27, 2025 · NWS BUF · 3 events in 3 counties and zones

An area of low pressure crossed the region on December 26th, bringing a wintry mix of rain, snow and freezing rain for areas of western New York. But areas farther east, where colder air was in place, mostly all snow fell.

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

Open the live radar over this ground

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.

An area of low pressure crossed the region on December 26th, bringing a wintry mix of rain, snow and freezing rain for areas of western New York. But areas farther east, where colder air was in place, mostly all snow fell. Snow was moderate to heavy at times for portions of Wayne, Northern Cayuga and Oswego counties during the afternoon and evening on December 26th, where snowfall amounts of 7 to 12 were received. The timing of the mixed precipitation and snow, caused some travel issues for the busy travel day, the day after Christmas.

Some of the notable snowfall amounts include: 12.0 inches in Parish, 9.0 inches in Cato and 7.0 inches in Wolcott.

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 26, 1:01 PM EST, 29 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 26, 1:01 PM EST, 29 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 26, 1:24 PM EST, 6 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

NYZ012-019>021-085-271830-
Wyoming-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

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...Saturday through Thursday.

A period of moderate to heavy rain will pass across Western New York
Sunday and into Monday before changing to snow later Monday behind a
strong cold front. Temperatures ahead of the cold front will warm
sufficiently above freezing to allow for a good deal of higher
terrain snowmelt that when combined with potentially an inch or more
of rainfall will swell area creeks and rivers...with a small chance
that a few creeks or streams may exceed their banks. Additional low
lying ponding of water is likely.

Behind the cold front southwest to west winds will become strong,
likely gusting into the advisory range later Monday and through early
Tuesday.

As cold air deepens lake effect snow will become likely late Monday
afternoon and through much of next work week. Oscillating bands of
lake effect snow through the week will produce locally heavy
accumulations. Still windy conditions through Tuesday will allow for
the lake snows to blow and drift with very poor visibilities.

.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

NYZ001-002-010-011-271830-
Niagara-Orleans-Northern Erie-Genesee-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

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...Saturday through Thursday.

A period of moderate to heavy rain will pass across Western New York
Sunday and into Monday before changing to snow later Monday behind a
strong cold front. Temperatures ahead of the cold front will warm
sufficiently above freezing to allow for recently fallen snow and
sleet to melt that when combined with potentially an inch or more of
rainfall will swell area creeks and rivers...with a small chance
that a few creeks or streams may exceed their banks, including a few
of the quick responding Buffalo Creeks. Additional low lying ponding
of water is likely.

Behind the cold front southwest to west winds will become strong,
likely gusting into the advisory range later Monday and through early
Tuesday.

As cold air deepens lake effect snow will become likely late Monday
afternoon and through much of next work week. Oscillating bands of
lake effect snow will primarily reside south of Buffalo and Batavia,
but several opportunities will exist for lake snows to lift northward
impacting the northern Niagara Frontier through the week with locally
moderate accumulations.

.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

NYZ008-271830-
Lewis-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

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...Saturday through Thursday.

A period of rain is expected Sunday, with poor drainage flooding
possible before a cold front passes through Monday with rain changing
to snow.

Behind the cold front southwest to west winds will become strong,
likely gusting into the advisory range later Monday and through
Tuesday.

As cold air deepens lake effect snow will become likely Monday
evening and through much of next work week. Oscillating bands of
lake effect snow through the week will produce locally heavy
accumulations. Still windy conditions through Tuesday will allow for
the lake snows to blow and drift with very poor visibilities.

.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

NYZ006-271830-
Oswego-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST SATURDAY...

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...Saturday through Thursday.

A period of rain is expected Sunday, with poor drainage flooding
possible before a cold front passes through Monday with rain changing
to snow.

Behind the cold front southwest to west winds will become strong,
likely gusting into the advisory range later Monday and through
Tuesday.

As cold air deepens lake effect snow will become likely Monday
evening and through much of next work week. Oscillating bands of
lake effect snow through the week will produce locally heavy
accumulations. Still windy conditions through Tuesday will allow for
the lake snows to blow and drift with very poor visibilities.

.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

LEZ040-041-271830-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

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...Saturday through Thursday.

Gale force winds are likely very late Sunday night through Tuesday
on Lake Erie.

.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>065-271830-
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-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

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...Saturday through Thursday.

Gale force winds are likely Monday through Tuesday on Lake Ontario.
Storm force gusts are possible during this timeframe, particularly on
the eastern end of the lake Monday and Monday evening. There is a
chance that gale force winds continue Wednesday and Thursday on the
Lake Ontario waters.

.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-SLZ022-024-271830-
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-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

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

NYZ003-014-271830-
Monroe-Ontario-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

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...Saturday through Thursday.

A period of rain is expected Sunday, with poor drainage flooding
possible before a cold front passes through Monday with rain changing
to snow. Behind the cold front southwest to west winds will become
strong, likely gusting into the advisory range later Monday and
through Tuesday.

.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

NYZ013-271830-
Livingston-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

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...Saturday through Thursday.

Behind the cold front southwest to west winds will become strong,
likely gusting into the advisory range later Monday and through
Tuesday.

.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

NYZ007-271830-
Jefferson-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

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...Saturday through Thursday.

A period of moderate to heavy rain will pass across Jefferson County
Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. Sub freezing air lingering
within the Saint Lawrence Valley may allow for a period of freezing
rain through Sunday night before the airmass warms above freeze to
allow for plain rain. A cold front will then pass across the County
mid-day Monday with rain changing to snow.

Behind the cold front southwest to west winds will become strong,
likely gusting into the advisory range later Monday and through
Tuesday.

As cold air deepens lake effect snow will become likely Monday
evening and through much of next work week. Oscillating bands of
lake effect snow through the week will produce locally heavy
accumulations. Still windy conditions through Tuesday will allow for
the lake snows to blow and drift with very poor visibilities.

.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

NYZ004-005-271830-
Wayne-Northern Cayuga-
124 PM EST Fri Dec 26 2025

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST SATURDAY...

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...Saturday through Thursday.

A period of rain is expected Sunday, with poor drainage flooding
possible before a cold front passes across Wayne and northern Cayuga
counties Monday, with rain changing to snow.

Behind the cold front southwest to west winds will become strong,
likely gusting into the advisory range later Monday and through
Tuesday.

As cold air deepens lake effect snow will become likely Monday
night and through much of next work week. Oscillating bands of lake
effect snow through the week (at times north of the counties) may
produce locally heavy accumulations. Still windy conditions through
Tuesday will allow for the lake snows to blow and drift.

.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

Thomas

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Wayne

When
December 26, 1:30 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where
Wayne forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.066, -76.978 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Northern Cayuga

When
December 26, 2:30 PM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where
Northern Cayuga forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
43.010, -76.574 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Oswego

When
December 26, 3:00 PM EST to December 27, 1:00 AM EST
Where
Oswego forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
43.464, -76.209 (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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in New York in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, December 2025

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: 1308195, 1308196, 1308197.