Buffalo Weather Radar
Buffalo Live Weather
Buffalo Live Weather Radar
Buffalo Hourly Weather Forecast
Buffalo 7-Day Weather Forecast
Buffalo Weather Overview
Buffalo weather radar is essential for tracking lake-effect snow, the city's defining weather threat. Buffalo sits on Lake Erie's eastern shore where Arctic air crosses warmer lake waters from November through March, creating intense snow bands visible on doppler radar. The buffalo doppler weather radar map shows exactly where these narrow bands dump several inches per hour while areas miles away stay clear. Weather radar Buffalo NY helps residents monitor rapidly shifting doppler snow patterns across Western New York's humid continental climate.
The Buffalo doppler radar tracked historic lake-effect events including November 2014 when southern suburbs received 88 inches in four days — over 65 inches fell within 24 hours in some areas. Buffalo weather doppler radar captured the Christmas Blizzard of 2022 with wind gusts exceeding 70 mph and blinding snow that killed 47 people across Erie County. The 1977 Blizzard created 30-foot snowdrifts. Buffalo averages 95.4 inches of snow annually according to NOAA records, though snow belt communities routinely exceed 200 inches. The NWS Buffalo office (WFO BUF) uses doppler weather radar Buffalo to issue lake-effect warnings across the region.
Buffalo radar weather also tracks severe thunderstorms during spring and summer, with damaging hail, winds, and occasional tornadoes. Flash flooding occurs when heavy rain overwhelms drainage systems. Live weather radar Buffalo and doppler radar buffalo ny monitor these threats alongside the city's 40.54 inches of annual precipitation.
Buffalo Weather Risks & Safety
Lake-Effect Snow Risk
Buffalo gets lake-effect snow — and it's wild. Cold Arctic air blows over the warmer Great Lakes, picks up moisture, and dumps several inches of snow per hour in narrow bands. The tricky part: one neighborhood gets buried while another a few miles away sees blue sky. The radar is the only way to see where those bands are sitting and whether they're about to shift onto you.
Blizzard & Heavy Snow Risk
Buffalo gets hit by blizzards when Arctic air combines with moisture — 12+ inches of snow, 35+ mph winds, near-zero visibility. On the radar you can watch the storm bands approach and figure out exactly when the worst will arrive. That timing matters: get your errands done before the bands reach you, and be ready for power outages and road closures that can last days.
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Buffalo regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Buffalo, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Buffalo's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
How to Use Buffalo Weather Radar
Check Current Lake-Effect Snow Bands
During November through March, first check the radar map to see where lake-effect snow bands are forming off Lake Erie. These narrow bands can dump several inches per hour in one neighborhood while areas a few miles away stay clear.
Watch the Radar Animation
Hit play on the Buffalo radar animation to see how quickly snow bands are moving and whether they are shifting position. Lake-effect bands can pivot dramatically based on wind direction changes over the lake.
Review the Hourly Forecast
Check the hour-by-hour forecast to see temperature trends and precipitation timing. Buffalo's weather can shift from rain to freezing rain to heavy snow within hours during winter storms.
Monitor Wind Direction and Speed
Wind direction determines where lake-effect snow falls in the Buffalo metro area. The radar shows which areas are getting hit hardest and helps predict if snow bands will shift onto your location or away from it.
Who Benefits from Buffalo Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Buffalo commuters on I-90 and the Thruway face some of the most dangerous winter driving conditions in the nation. Check the radar before heading out to see where lake-effect snow bands are positioned and whether visibility will drop to whiteout conditions during your commute.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Runners along the Outer Harbor Trail and skiers heading to Holiday Valley need to watch for rapidly changing conditions. Lake-effect snow can develop within an hour, and the radar shows exactly where bands are forming and how intense they are before you head outside.
Event Planners & Families
Planning outdoor events at Sahlen Field or Canalside? The 7-day forecast helps pick the best day, but on event day the radar is critical during shoulder seasons when lake-effect snow can surprise even in late April or early October.
Outdoor Workers
Construction crews across Western New York and snowplow operators need real-time radar to track lake-effect bands. The radar shows where the heaviest snow is falling so outdoor work can pause before conditions become hazardous or crews can be deployed to the right areas.