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Westerns Take on the Buffalo Snow Event of 2014


richard mann

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The band has moved into Buffalo proper now and it is absolutely ripping.

 

The airport is reporting +SN and visibility of 1/8 mile. Webcams show whiteout conditions and there's lots of reports of thundersnow.

 

http://icons.wunderground.com/webcamramdisk/n/y/nydot/1090/current.jpg?1416455023

 

LES round 2.gif

 

And this is only the very beginning of round 2. NWS saying the band should be twice as strong by morning.

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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The band has moved into Buffalo proper now and it is absolutely ripping.

 

The airport is reporting +SN and visibility of 1/8 mile. Webcams show whiteout conditions and there's lots of reports of thundersnow.

 

http://icons.wunderground.com/webcamramdisk/n/y/nydot/1090/current.jpg?1416455023

 

attachicon.gifLES round 2.gif

 

And this is only the very beginning of round 2. NWS saying the band should be twice as strong by morning.

 

 

Looks like its on the move to the east though and not stationary.

**REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED**

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Looks like its on the move to the east though and not stationary.

That always happens as the lake effect is just starting up though. It takes some time to really set up shop. Reinforcements are on the way from further West out over the lake (just North of Erie, PA.)

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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Mallow posted on Facebook that he was driving up to Buffalo tonight to witness this. If I lived within 10 hours I probably would as well.

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Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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I'm actually glad to be seeing this kind of thing. You look at last winter being the coldest on record in parts of the Midwest, and now this. There is no reason whatsoever the NW can't score a huge winter when other parts of the country and other countries are seeing winter events to rival anything on record.

 

As for what is going on in Buffalo...I would have to think it would stop being fun when it gets to this level.

Death To Warm Anomalies!

 

Winter 2023-24 stats

 

Total Snowfall = 1.0"

Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1

Total Hail = 0.0

Total Ice = 0.2

Coldest Low = 13

Lows 32 or below = 45

Highs 32 or below = 3

Lows 20 or below = 3

Highs 40 or below = 9

 

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I live in a lake effect area here in Salt Lake City. Although what we see here is nothing like what happens over there, on occasion there can be 2-3 feet of lake effect in the foothills here. Last winter I saw a storm with 8" of LES as my peak.

 

Anyway I can vouch for how hard it is to forecast. It is extremely difficult to pin down the location and models are USUALLY incorrect on the exact placement ahead of time. We have a LES event coming up this weekend for my area so it will be fun to see what happens.

OT Question for you. Does all of SLC usually get lake effect snow or is it only parts of it. I may be moving there next year. 

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Mallow posted on Facebook that he was driving up to Buffalo tonight to witness this. If I lived within 10 hours I probably would as well.

It could end up being the drive from hell if he ends up in the wrong area. I think I would drive to a place that has much less snow and walk a couple of miles to the really heavy zones. It appears some places go from a few inches to several feet in the same town.

Death To Warm Anomalies!

 

Winter 2023-24 stats

 

Total Snowfall = 1.0"

Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1

Total Hail = 0.0

Total Ice = 0.2

Coldest Low = 13

Lows 32 or below = 45

Highs 32 or below = 3

Lows 20 or below = 3

Highs 40 or below = 9

 

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It could end up being the drive from hell if he ends up in the wrong area. I think I would drive to a place that has much less snow and walk a couple of miles to the really heavy zones. It appears some places go from a few inches to several feet in the same town.

 

I think it would be more dangerous to walk into the heaviest snows...but you're right, you'd have to be careful where you ended up driving as well.

A forum for the end of the world.

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It could end up being the drive from hell if he ends up in the wrong area. I think I would drive to a place that has much less snow and walk a couple of miles to the really heavy zones. It appears some places go from a few inches to several feet in the same town.

Lots of people on Facebook were saying he's crazy.

 

And he did say he's planning on parking near the Northern edge and walking in. Not sure how that'll go with the heavy snow now falling in Buffalo proper which is North of where the snow fell yesterday.

 

He's a smart guy though. I'm sure he prepared and brought things so he could sleep in the car if they got stuck.

 

I'd definitely bring snow shoes if it were me!

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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A few videos of the thundersnow in downtown Buffalo that were posted on Eastern.

 

http://instagram.com/p/vm3uLWCHE3/

 

https://www.facebook...152867390729169

 

https://vine.co/v/OJ1323PMTnJ

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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-
Decoded "METARs" hourly, for Buffalo. For the most recent 12 hours. (.. updating.)
 
http://aviationweather.gov/metar/data?ids=KBUF&format=decoded&hours=12&taf=off&layout=on&date=0
(.. six minutes before whatever hour zulu: dd hhmmz.)

http://lance-modis.eosdis.nasa.gov/imagery/subsets/?area=na
https://earthdata.na...11.7056,50.4305   (.. may take a moment to load in.)
 
https://earthdata.nasa.gov/labs/worldview/

---
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Absolutely crazy. Imagine waking up to this.

 

B2xWuc6CUAEaJmp.jpg

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Home Wx Station Stats (Since January 2008):

Max Temp: 96.3F (2009)   Min Temp: 2.0F (2008)   Max Wind Gust: 45 mph (2018, 2021)   Wettest Day: 2.34 (11/4/22)   Avg Yearly Precip: 37"   10yr Avg Snow: 8.0"

Snowfall Totals

'08-09: 30" | '09-10: 0.5" | '10-11: 21" | '11-12: 9.5" | '12-13: 0.2" | '13-14: 6.2" | '14-15: 0.0" | '15-16: 0.25"| '16-17: 8.0" | '17-18: 0.9"| '18-19: 11.5" | '19-20: 11" | '20-21: 10.5" | '21-22: 21.75" | '22-23: 10.0" 

2023-24: 7.0" (1/17: 3", 1/18: 1.5", 2/26: 0.5", 3/4: 2.0", Flakes: 1/11, 1/16)

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Looks like its stationary now over the same spots as yesterday. Dumping like crazy!

 

OT Question for you. Does all of SLC usually get lake effect snow or is it only parts of it. I may be moving there next year. 

There can be lake effect snow from about due south of the lake (Tooele), into SLC (SE), and to the west up in Ogden....or anywhere in between. I would say your greatest amount is into SLC or somewhat south towards the Oquirrh mountains. If you do move and want to maximize your awesome weather potential I can give you more insight into who does well with what. That said I live in West Valley City and have done really well with most of the events even in the lower elevation because of favorable lake band placement.

 

Mallow posted on Facebook that he was driving up to Buffalo tonight to witness this. If I lived within 10 hours I probably would as well.

I totally would too if I could. Someday I want to fly in when I know a big one is coming.

Winter 23-24: Total Snow (3.2")    Total Ice (0.2")     Coldest Low: 1F     Coldest High: 5F

Snow Events: 0.1" Jan 5th, 0.2" Jan 9th, 1.6" Jan 14, 0.2" (ice) Jan 22, 1.3" Feb 12

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Lots of people on Facebook were saying he's crazy.

 

And he did say he's planning on parking near the Northern edge and walking in. Not sure how that'll go with the heavy snow now falling in Buffalo proper which is North of where the snow fell yesterday.

 

He's a smart guy though. I'm sure he prepared and brought things so he could sleep in the car if they got stuck.

 

I'd definitely bring snow shoes if it were me!

For sure on the snowshoes!

 

If this was a widespread event he would be crazy. Being that it's so isolated I think you could walk in pretty safely.

Death To Warm Anomalies!

 

Winter 2023-24 stats

 

Total Snowfall = 1.0"

Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1

Total Hail = 0.0

Total Ice = 0.2

Coldest Low = 13

Lows 32 or below = 45

Highs 32 or below = 3

Lows 20 or below = 3

Highs 40 or below = 9

 

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Posted this in the other thread but I want to put it in here as well because it explains why the lake effect has been so extreme during this event.

 

There's a large swath of Lake Erie upwind from Buffalo that is 50-54 degrees still. With 850mb temps near -15 (5 Fahrenheit) that is a difference of nearly 50 degrees over less than 5,000 feet. No wonder there's such incredibly instability with thundersnow and extremely heavy snowfall!

 

http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/glcfs/ncast/eswt-00.gif

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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This event looks focused farther south... and not as organized yet.

It's definitely 5-10 miles South of the last one so far. But it isn't even supposed to really get cranking full strength until early tomorrow morning and it's already snowing 2-3" per hour in the main band. Downtown picked up 4-5" in less than 2 hours as the band moved through according to reports on Eastern.

 

The NWS forecasts were for 4-8" tonight and 2 more feet during the day tomorrow for the hardest hit areas. Some areas are going to get well over a foot just tonight based on reports so it's pretty organized.

 

It seems to be snowing much harder than it looks on radar because of the relatively low tops to the storm.

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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Dunkirk seems like the best reporting station for all you obs junkies. They got slammed the other day and have been reporting heavy snow and impressive winds

 

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KDKK/2014/11/20/DailyHistory.html

Awesome. Heavy snow with temps in the teens and 30-40 mph winds all day. Sounds like Bellingham in Dec. 1996.

 

And Dunkirk is actually a ways South of the heaviest axis of snow from the other day.

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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Awesome. Heavy snow with temps in the teens and 30-40 mph winds all day. Sounds like Bellingham in Dec. 1996.

 

And Dunkirk is actually a ways South of the heaviest axis of snow from the other day.

 

Yeah, no FAA stations in that area that really got pounded. Looks like Dunkirk likely had a couple feet, but not the super extreme stuff.

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The heaviest band looks to have set up in pretty much the same spot as yesterday for now. Right over the Southern suburbs of Buffalo.

 

This could get really serious really fast if it remains stationary over them much longer. They already have 40-65" on the ground and it's coming down at ~3" per hour per current reports.

 

LES part 2 2.gif

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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Some incredible videos coming out already from the lakeshore. Someone is gonna total 8-9 feet out of the combined events..

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As I said last night... it set up farther south this time. The hardest hit areas last time are dry this morning.

It meandered all night.

 

The airport which is in North Buffalo picked up 10.7".

 

It's a good thing it didn't lock in on the same area as last time, but South Buffalo was under the gun for several hours looking at the radar from last night.

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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Those "less hard hit areas" still got 3-4 feet of snow last time..just not 6 feet. The current band has already dropped up to 2 feet of snow on the southtowns, after the 5-6 feet they got a few days ago.

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And the band is suppose to get heavier through the day. Buffalo AFD also expects it to meander back North to just South of Buffalo during the afternoon before slipping back South this evening.

 

MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 1928
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0814 AM CST THU NOV 20 2014

AREAS AFFECTED...LEE OF LAKE ERIE AND LAKE ONTARIO

CONCERNING...HEAVY SNOW

VALID 201414Z - 201845Z

SUMMARY...SNOWFALL RATES /EXCEEDING 2 INCHES PER HOUR/ AND THE
POTENTIAL FOR THUNDERSNOW ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY MIDDAY IN LEE
OF LAKES ERIE AND ONTARIO AND PERSIST THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.

DISCUSSION...TRENDS IN SOUNDINGS /INCREASING HEIGHT OF THE INVERSION
ACROSS LOWER MI BETWEEN 00Z AND 12Z TODAY/ ARE INDICATIVE OF THE
COOLING TEMPERATURES AND HEIGHT FALLS SPREADING EWD WITH THE
APPROACH OF THE UPPER GREAT LAKES MID-LEVEL TROUGH. 12Z SOUNDING AT
BUF SHOWED SIMILAR TRENDS IN THE LOW-LEVEL LAPSE RATES...AND THIS
TREND WILL CONTINUE AS THE COLDER AIR SPREADS EWD ACROSS THE
RELATIVELY WARMER LOWER GREAT LAKES TODAY. FORECAST SOUNDINGS PER
12Z RAP/HRRR OVER AND EAST OF THE LOWER GREAT LAKES CONFIRM THESE
OBSERVATIONS WITH AN INCREASE IN BUOYANCY. THUS...THE INCREASE IN
CONVECTIVE DEPTH SHOULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR THUNDERSNOW
EMBEDDED WITHIN THE ONGOING BANDS...FURTHER ENHANCING THE HEAVY
SNOWFALL RATES.

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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Shifted north now... back into the hard hit areas.

Hearing reports of multiple roof collapses. Driving is banned. Stores are running out of food and gas stations out of gas. What a mess in the hardest hit spots.

 

Already reports of up to 23" just from round 2. These are all hours old too. It's 1PM there now.

 

..ERIE COUNTY...

EAST AURORA 23.0 1050 AM 11/20 COCORAHS

2 S WALES 19.5 700 AM 11/20 CO-OP OBSERVER

1 NNE HAMBURG 13.0 926 AM 11/20 NWS EMPLOYEE

LACKAWANNA 13.0 1032 AM 11/20 AMATEUR RADIO

2 NE BOSTON 13.0 800 AM 11/20 COCORAHS

WSW HAMBURG 12.5 700 AM 11/20 COCORAHS

1 W COLDEN 12.2 730 AM 11/20 CO-OP OBSERVER

LANCASTER 12.0 700 AM 11/20 EMERGENCY MNGR

EDEN 12.0 700 AM 11/20 EMERGENCY MNGR

WALES CENTER 12.0 700 AM 11/20 EMERGENCY MNGR

ORCHARD PARK 11.0 600 AM 11/20 AMATEUR RADIO

3 NE CHEEKTOWAGA 10.7 700 AM 11/20 COCORAHS

NY BUFFALO INTL ARPT 10.7 700 AM 11/20 ASOS

2 ENE COLDEN 10.6 800 AM 11/20 COCORAHS

CLARENCE 10.0 700 AM 11/20 EMERGENCY MNGR

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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It just continues.

 

LAKE EFFECT SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT THE BUFFALO SOUTHTOWNS
AND LAKE ERIE SHORELINE EAST TO THE BOSTON HILLS AND WESTERN WYOMING
COUNTY...

* AT 1250 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LAKE EFFECT SNOW BAND CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SNOWFALL RATES OF 3
INCHES PER HOUR OR MORE...AND VISIBILITY NEAR ZERO AT TIMES
. THIS
LAKE EFFECT SNOW BAND WAS LOCATED ALONG THE LAKE ERIE
SHORELINE OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY NORTHEAST ACROSS THE BOSTON HILLS
AND SOUTHTOWNS...INTO WESTERN WYOMING COUNTY. THIS BAND WILL ALSO
CLIP FAR SOUTHERN GENESEE COUNTY FOR SEVERAL HOURS THIS AFTERNOON.
THE BAND WILL REMAIN IN PLACE THIS AFTERNOON...THEN BEGIN TO
DRIFT BACK SOUTH AFTER DARK.


* SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THE LAKE EFFECT SNOW BAND INCLUDE...
BOSTON AND WEST FALLS...
COLDEN...WALES...EAST AURORA...
LACKAWANNA...ORCHARD PARK...HAMBURG...
ELMA...WEST SENECA...ALDEN...
BENNINGTON AND ATTICA...
VARYSBURG...HOLLAND AND MARILLA...

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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Somebody on Eastern who lives in Hamburg just reported 9" in the last 2 hours (11:30-1:30.)

 

He already had like 4 feet from the first storm and lots more last night and this morning. WOW.

 

B25wPhUIIAARzPG.jpg

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Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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BuffaloWeather who lives in Hamburg (a town of 57,000 people just South of Buffalo) just posted on Eastern:

 

"13 inches of snow from 11:30 to 2:30. 25.5+ inches from round 2. 75.5 inches total from this storm."

 

http://www.americanwx.com/bb/index.php/topic/44743-historic-lake-effect-snowstorm/page-34

 

He posted videos walking down the middle of I-90 as well.

 

 

Absolute insanity!

Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation)

Snow since February 2019: 91"

2023-24: 6"

2022-23: 17.5"

2021-22: 17.75"

2020-21: 14.5”

2019-20: 10.5"

2018-19: 24.75"

 

 

 

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