Weather History for January 21

Western New York Weather History

JANUARY 21

1985

19^th-22^nd…special weather statements were issued beginning Thursday the 17th warning of the wintry weekend upcoming. Friday afternoon the first Winter Storm Watch for Saturday was posted. That evening the Watch was changed to a Winter Storm Warning for high winds, blowing and drifting snow, localized snow squalls, and extreme cold associated with deep low pressure approaching from the Midwest. Winter Storm Warnings remained in effect until Monday morning when blizzard warnings were posted. Saturday January 19th: a snow squall off Lake Erie extended through metropolitan Buffalo and Erie, Wyoming, Genesee, Orleans, and part of Monroe counties. Winds gusted over 40 mph and blizzard like conditions prevailed in the squall. A total of 15.6 inches of snow fell at Buffalo Airport with other areas reporting higher amounts. The high for the day was 26 degrees at 1am and the low at 10pm was 8 degrees.

Sunday January 20th: snow squalls moved south to "traditional" snow belts however strong winds with gusts to 50 mph and temperatures in the single digits created treacherous conditions throughout the day. Most roads in Erie county were open because of round-the-clock plowing, but whiteouts were making many of them impassable at times. States of Emergency were declared in Niagara and Orleans counties. The New York State Thruway closed from the Pennsylvania state line to Utica. An additional 2.7 inches of snow fell. High for the day was 11 degrees at midnight; the low was -1 at 9:30pm.

Monday January 21st: the storm reached blizzard proportions. Western New York was paralyzed and a driving ban instituted for the city of Buffalo and the five western New York counties. All schools, factories, and offices were closed. Amtrak service, the Buffalo Airport, and Metro bus lines shut down. Winds, gusting over 50 mph, and temperatures about or below zero held wind chills to 50 to 60 degrees below zero a better part of the day. An additional 14.9 inches of snow was recorded at the airport. A record low of -10 degrees was set at 4:30am breaking the previous record of -7 degrees set in 1924.

Tuesday January 22nd: temperatures rose into the 20s and winds began slowly subsiding. Another 1.2 inches of snow fell at Buffalo Airport. The four day storm snow total of was 34.4 inches accompanied by frequent whiteouts, winds gusting over 50 mph, and up to 8-foot snow drifts. Gov. Cuomo declared Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming counties disaster areas. Mayor Griffin banned driving in the City of Buffalo until Friday the 25th. Five deaths were related to the storm, two from exposure. Schools in the area were closed for the entire week.

2003

A persistent west to northwest flow produced lake effect snows along the south shore of Lake Ontario . The heaviest snows fell during the early morning hours of the 21st. This caused considerable problems for the morning commute in the Rochester Metro area. The activity broke up by mid-day. Snowfall reports included: Ontario 12"; Webster 11"; Kendall 9"; and Lyndonville 7".