Weather and climate in Buffalo (New York)

The climate of Buffalo, the second largest city in the state of New York, is continental, with very cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located at 200 meters (650 feet) above sea level, on the northeastern tip of Lake Erie and about 40 km (25 mi) south of Lake Ontario. A short distance away, on the border with Canada, are Niagara Falls.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -3.2 °C (26.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,035 millimeters (40.7 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 65 mm (2.5 in) in the driest month (February) to 105 mm (4.1 in) in the wettest (September). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from late November to early March, is very cold.
On average, there are 49 icing days (that is, on which the air temperature does not go above freezing), and that usually happens from November through April.
On average, 242 centimeters (95.4 in) of snow fall per year. It usually snows from October through April, although snow normally covers the ground from mid or late December to early March. The heaviest snowfall in one day occurred in December 1995, when 86 cm (34 in) of snow fell. Buffalo is a particularly snowy city due to the so-called lake-effect snow, whereby the cold wind from Canada is charged with humidity as it passes over the lake. This phenomenon occurs more easily in the first part of winter, since the lake often freezes at the end of January and in February. Furthermore, the phenomenon is more evident in the part of the lake facing north-west or west, therefore the one that goes from the eastern part of Cleveland to Buffalo.
Cold waves are intense, in fact, the temperature drops below -18 °C (0 °F) almost every year. The record cold, -28 °C (-18.5 °F), occurred in February 1961.
However, there may be short periods when the temperature exceeds 10/12 °C (50/54 °F) even in the middle of winter.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon. In the afternoon, the refreshing breeze blows from the lake.
On average, there are only 3 days with a maximum temperature equal to or above 32 °C (90 °F), and that usually happens from May through September. The record is 36.7 °C (98 °F), set in August 1948 and July 2020.

Spring and autumn, from mid-March to May and from September to mid-November, are contrasted seasons, with fairly frequent rains and sudden changes in temperature. However, there are also stable and pleasant periods.



On average, there are around 2,205 sunshine hours per year. The sun shines a quarter of the time in December and two thirds of the time in July. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The temperature of lake Erie ranges between 2 °C (36 °F) and 22 °C (71 °F). During cold spells, the lake can freeze partially. In February 2015, which was a particularly cold month, it almost completely froze. Here are the average lake temperatures.

Best Time

The best times to visit Buffalo are spring and autumn, especially the months of May and September. However, given that it rarely gets very hot in summer, you can also choose the period from June to August.
In October, you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).

Buffalo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -3.2 °C (26 °F), with a minimum of -7.7 °C (18.1 °F) and a maximum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (0.5 °F). However, it dropped to -23.4 °C (-10.1 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in January 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).

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February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -2.8 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -7.4 °C (18.6 °F) and a maximum of 1.9 °C (35.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17 °C (1.5 °F). However, it dropped to -24.4 °C (-11.9 °F) in February 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in February 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).

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March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.5 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -3.7 °C (25.4 °F) and a maximum of 6.6 °C (44 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (9 °F). However, it dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F) in March 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

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April is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.9 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) and a maximum of 14 °C (57.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.4 °C (16.9 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in April 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in June 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.1 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.6 °C (61.8 °F) and a maximum of 27.7 °C (81.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in July 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.4 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.7 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in August 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in August 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.9 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (53.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in September 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in September 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) and a maximum of 16.6 °C (62 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -3.9 °C (25 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in October 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).

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November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.3 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) and a maximum of 9.9 °C (49.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.8 °C (9 °F) in November 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).

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December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of 0.0 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -4 °C (24.8 °F) and a maximum of 4.1 °C (39.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (8.5 °F). However, it dropped to -22.8 °C (-9 °F) in December 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).