Weather History for December 12

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2024-2025 Winter Summary

Western New York Weather History

DECEMBER 12

1988

A blast of arctic air overspread western New York on the 11th and 12th. On Sunday the 11th, the Buffalo Bills hosted the LA Raiders in the last regular season home football game for 1988. The game time temperature was 11 degrees and it dropped to 8 degrees by the end. It was likely the coldest home game Buffalo has ever played. The temperature plummeted to minus 9 on the morning of the 12th shattering the previous record of 4 set in 1960. It was the 2nd coldest December reading on record.

2000

Deep low pressure over Ohio tracked northeast across the region. The strong pressure gradient on the back side of the low combined with rapid pressure rises resulted in very strong northwest winds across the region. The damaging winds downed trees and line throughout the area. Specific reports of damage were received from Cuba, Olean, Jamestown, Buffalo, Amherst, Darien, Lyonsdale, Lima, Spencerport, North Tonawanda, Medina, Fulton and Newark. Schools were forced to close. The Red Cross opened several shelters throughout the area. Structural and property damage was also reported, specifically in Cassadaga, Stockton, Lily Dale, South Dayton, Buffalo, Phelps, Hall, Olean, Allegany, Wellsville, Geneva, Jamestown and Lakewood. Nearly a hundred thousand customers were without power across the region. Over 50 crews from the Ontario Hydro Power Company in Canada assisted in power restoration. Power outages lasted from several hours to nearly a day in some spots. Flights on the morning of the 12th were either delayed or cancelled at both the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Rochester Airport. Specific wind gusts recorded were: 66 mph at Buffalo; 63 mph at Cuba, Yorkshire and Dunkirk; 61 mph at Jamestown; 59 mph at Niagara Falls, and 58 mph at Olean. The high winds caused water levels at the eastern end of Lake Erie to rise over five feet in a few hours. The high water levels coupled with waves of 10 to 14 feet caused shoreline erosion and localized flooding. Evacuations took place at Hoover Beach. The lake remained above flood stage for a couple of hours.

2003

Multiple lake effect snow bands developed in a cold northwest flow following a strong cold front. Off Lake Erie , the activity was concentrated along higher elevations of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Wyoming counties. Snow totals from the day and a half event included 12" in Ellicottville, 8" in South Dayton and Arcade , and 7" in Arkwright. Off Lake Ontario , a long band of snow off Lake Huron was enhanced by Lake Ontario and extended across the lakeshore areas of Niagara , Orleans and Monroe counties. Snowfall totaled 13" in Greece , 9" in Albion and 7" in Webster.