JANUARY 8

1989 

An intense low pressure system moved northeast from the central Great Lakes and brought strong winds to all of western New York. The wind averaged 31.5 mph for the day--the windiest January day in 40 years. A peak gust of 61 mph was recorded at 1:56pm at the Buffalo Airport. The winds downed trees and tree limbs and overhead wires and interrupted electrical and telephone service. The high winds broke windows on the Prospect Point observation tower overlooking Niagara Falls, closing the tower. The winds also blew over a billboard on Fuhrman Boulevard briefly closing a portion of the Skyway. 

1994

A frigid westerly flow produced lake effect snow squalls to the lee of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Up to two feet of snow fell in the squalls. Strong west winds caused hazardous driving conditions in whiteouts from blowing and drifting snow. Specific reports included: Warsaw 6"; Hamburg and Orchard Park 13"; Gowanda 14"; Dunkirk 19"; and Oswego 20".

1998

A devastating ice storm paralyzed Jefferson and parts of Lewis counties. The freezing rain accumulated ice of an inch to an inch and a half thick. The ice coated trees, power lines, and poles and sent them crashing to the ground. Hundreds of thousands of customers were without power for several days to over a week. In Jefferson county, 75% of the county was without power. The county was declared a state and federal disaster area.

1999

6TH-8TH…Low pressure moving northeast across the region brought heavy snow and zero visibilities to the region. The synoptic snow was enhanced by moisture from the Great Lakes ahead of a cold front. Once the front moved through the region the cold air crossing Lakes Erie and Ontario produced lake effect snow squalls. Numerous automobile accidents, several with injuries, were blamed on the heavy snow and reduced visibilities. It was the fourth significant lake effect event in two weeks. Some snowfall amounts included: Ripley and Montague 11"; Southwest Oswego 10", North Tonawanda 9"; Fair Haven and Mannsville 7".

2007

8th-10th...A surge of seasonably cold air overspread the Lower Lakes region during the second week of January. Lake snows off Lake Erie began late Monday evening (8th) in a northwest flow following a frontal passage, with a bit of upslope component Monday night, then a narrow band of intense snow moved in off Lake Erie after midnight and focused on southern Erie, Wyoming, and the northern portions of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties through mid morning Tuesday ahead of a weak trough. Up to a foot fell in a narrow band over these areas. Off Lake Ontario, a similar band developed over the Tug Hill Plateau. The activity broke apart and spread out a bit later Tuesday and Tuesday Night as flow turned northwest following the trough with some subsidence, then intensified a bit again off Ontario later Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Total amounts were as much as 16-19" in heaviest areas, but dropped off substantially elsewhere. Off Lake Erie, specific snowfall reports included: 18 inches at Perrsyburg, 16 inches at Ellicottville, 15 inches at South Dayton, 13 inches at Arcade, 10 inches at Warsaw, and 8 inches at Jamestown and Dunkirk. Off Lake Ontario, snowfall reports included: 19 inches at Highmarket, 17 inches at North Osceola, 8 inches at Walworth, and 7 inches in West Monroe.