Heavy to Excessive Rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic; Critical Fire Weather in the Northern Plains and Southwest U.S.

A slow-moving storm system will continue to produce widespread heavy showers and thunderstorms which may bring excessive rainfall and flooding across the Mid-Atlantic region today and tonight. Hot, dry and breezy conditions will continue to support critical fire weather in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest today. Critical fire weather is also forecast in Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas. Read More >

Western New York Weather History

MARCH 02

1976

The costliest ice storm on record struck a large section of western New York. Ice was reported to be four inches thick in some spots. Erie, Chautauqua, Genesee, and Wyoming counties were declared major disaster areas by president ford as a result of the ice storm and localized flooding. The two day storm left more than 100,000 families without power, 5000 without telephone service, and at least 10,000 without water. One of every two homes and businesses in the area were without power. Niagara Mohawk crews repaired more than 1000 miles of downed power lines. Damages in Erie County were $45.6 million--$26 million in the City of Buffalo.

1991

Thunderstorms developed across the western southern tier during the afternoon in a southerly flow of warm, moist, unstable air. The thunderstorms dropped up to three-quarters inch of rain and produced up to half-inch hail. The thunderstorm winds downed tree limbs and power lines resulting in scattered power outages. Wind damage was reported in Clymer and Portville.

2005

2nd-3rd A northwest flow across Lake Erie resulted in an intense lake effect snow across the higher elevations of the western southern tierof New York during the evening of March 2nd and continuing through the afternoon of the 3rd. Specific snowfall reports included Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Southern Erie Counties: 14" at Perrysburg; 13" at Cassadaga; 12" at Stockton; and 10" at East Aurora.

2006

Low pressure developed over the Midwest then moved across Ohio and Pennsylvania spreading snow across the western sections. A blanket of eight to ten inches of snow covered the western southern tier and parts of the Niagara Frontier and Finger Lakes Region. The heavy wet snow made driving treacherous and numerous accidents resulted.