Heavy Rain and Flooding Along the Central Gulf Coast; Severe Weather in South Texas

Heavy to excessive rainfall could lead to flash flooding over portions of east Texas into southern Mississippi through Wednesday morning. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across the southern Great Plains to coastal Louisiana Wednesday. Large hail will be the primary threat, with the greatest risk across south Texas. Read More >

Western New York Weather History

DECEMBER 24

1990

A brisk northwest flow of arctic air crossing the relatively warm waters of Lakes Erie and Ontario produced lake effect snow squalls and snowfall amounts between six and ten inches. Reports included: Mexico, Oswego county, 9-10"; Elma, Erie county, 6-7" and Marilla, Erie county, 8-9".

1993

24^th-26^th…Low pressure moved east across Southern Ontario pulling a cold front across Western New York. A brisk westerly flow produced heavy lake effect squalls both before and after the front. A record snowfall was measured at the Buffalo Airport. The snow squall off Lake Erie was only about 10-20 miles wide and persisted across the area for two days. Numerous automobile accidents resulted from the slippery roads and near-blizzard conditions. A few resulted in fatalities. Specific snowfall amounts were: 19" Williamsville, Lancaster and Clarence; 16" West Seneca; 13" Tonawanda; 11" Warsaw; 10" Hamburg; 9" Pembroke; 8" Colden and Oswego; 7" Lowville; and 6" Lewiston.

2001

Lake effect snowbands developed and persisted for an unprecedented five days from the 24th through the 29th meandering north and south across the Niagara Frontier. Multiple bands of snow developed over the Niagara peninsula during Monday morning, the 24th, and extended into Niagara and northern Erie counties into early afternoon dropping up to six inches. The activity consolidated into a single band during the mid-afternoon and dropped south across the Buffalo metro area through the evening and early overnight. Snowfall rates of 4" per hour and thunder were reported during the evening. The band drifted back north to the Niagara peninsula on Christmas day. On Wednesday the 26th, the band over the peninsula began to drift south and for the next two days continued to meander across Buffalo and its northern and southern suburbs. States of Emergency and driving bans were declared. The National Guard was called in to help in snow removal. Nearby cities including Rochester, New York and Toronto, Ontario sent snow removal crews and equipment to aid in the cleanup. The weight of the seven feet of snow caused roof collapses and in several cases entire buildings collapsed. On Grand Island, a storage building containing over one million dollars in boats collapsed. In Cheektowaga, Erie county, an 83-year-old man was killed when his carport collapsed on top of him. Specific storm totals included, in Niagara County: North Tonawanda 40"; Pendleton 39"; Wheatfield 31"; Middleport 26"; Niagara Falls 25"; Lewiston 25" and Lockport 24". In Erie County: Buffalo Airport 81.6"; West Seneca 72"; Lancaster/Depew 67"; Clarence 56"; Buffalo 49-63"; Amherst 46-55"; Boston 48"; Kenmore and Tonawanda 45"; Eden and Elma 43"; Grand Island 40"; East Aurora 38"; and Colden and Hamburg 36". In Genesee County: East Pembroke 29"; Darien 28"; Batavia 16"; and Alexander 14". In Wyoming county: Strykersville 49"; Warsaw 31"; Arcade 30"; Bennington 29" and Portageville 13

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