Weather History for November 23

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Western New York Weather History

NOVEMBER 23

1970

The season's first big lake-effect snow (off Lake Erie) hit western New York early in the day. The storm began in a band from Lackawanna to 15 miles southward that stretched inland as far as Batavia. It later shifted into Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. The Thruway was closed at first from Buffalo to the Pennsylvania line then later in the day from Buffalo to Rochester. Areas hardest hit were central Erie, northern Wyoming, and Genesee counties. A State of Emergency was declared in the town of Evans in the face of two feet deep snow and drifts estimated to 12 feet. Snow depths of nearly three feet were reported in Hamburg. Strong winds added to the virtual isolation of some of the traditional snowbelt areas to the south and east. Buffalo and most communities to the north escaped the brunt of the snow.

1994

Cold air crossing the warmer waters of Lake Ontario resulted in lake effect snow squalls. The squalls dumped between six and eight inches over parts of Oswego county...including West Monroe, Mexico and Pulaski.