Weather History for April 3

News Headlines

Updated Frost & Freeze Program for Fall 2025

Western New York Weather History

APRIL 3

1974

A windstorm at Frewsburg during the evening tore off the roof of one house and smashed trees and power lines. A severe thunderstorm, with a small tornado in French Creek in Chautauqua county, swept across the area. Two mobile homes were damaged and the roof was blown off one building. A few roofs were blown off, a few trees felled, and a few windows smashed. Power was off for two to three hours. Funnel clouds were reported in the town of Evans near Gowans road.

2002

A large area of heavy rain persisted over Chautauqua county for several hours. Radar estimates indicated three inches of rain. In the City of Dunkirk, several roads were inundated by flood waters and closed.

2005

Deep low pressure over Pennsylvania brought copious amounts of precipitation to western New York. West of the Genesee River the precipitation fell mainly as heavy, wet snow with eight to twelve inches reported across much of the area. Locally heavier amounts of up to two feet were reported along the ridges southeast of Lake Erie. Numerous accidents were blamed on the spring snowstorm. Tens of thousands were without power as the heavy snow downed trees, limbs and power lines. In Chautauqua county, the weight of the snow damaged vineyards, breaking vine posts and roots. In Stockton, the weight of the snow caused a barn to collapse, killing 16 head of cattle. In Niagara Falls, a large inflated golf dome collapsed under the weight of the snow. Two workers were injured. They had been inside checking for snow and water damage when the dome collapsed.

2006

Thunderstorms developed in a warm, moist flow over the western Southern Tier of New York during the afternoon hours. The storms produced hail up to 3/4" in Jamestown and damaging winds which downed trees in Hinsdale and Wales Center.

Radar