Buffalo, NY Climate Guide
Buffalo has a humid continental climate shaped by Lake Erie. The lake holds the city back in spring, keeps summers comfortable, and fuels the lake-effect snow bands that give Buffalo its reputation.
Climate type: Humid continental (Köppen Dfa/Dfb)
Buffalo Climate Overview
July averages a high of 81°F with moderate humidity, while January averages a 32°F high and a 19°F low. Annual precipitation is about 40 inches, and annual snowfall is roughly 95 inches — among the highest of any large US city.
Lake-effect snow peaks from late November through January, when cold air crossing relatively warm Lake Erie stacks narrow bands over the region that can drop several feet in a day. Once the shallow lake freezes over, snowfall drops off sharply.
Buffalo Weather by Season
spring
Spring is cool and late. Lake Erie stays cold into June and holds the shoreline back while inland Western New York warms. March still sees snow, April is raw and damp, and May finally reaches the upper 60s°F.
summer
Summers are warm and comfortable with highs around 80°F and modest humidity by Eastern standards. This is Buffalo's sunniest, driest stretch, and the lake breeze keeps the waterfront pleasant on hot afternoons.
fall
September and October are mild and settled, with highs in the 60s-70s°F. The lake is still warm relative to the first Arctic air of the season, which makes late November and December the peak of lake-effect snow season.
winter
Winters are cold, cloudy, and snowy. January averages a 32°F high and a 19°F low, and the city collects about 95 inches of snow between lake-effect bands and passing storm systems.
Buffalo Average Monthly Temperatures
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 32° | 34° | 43° | 55° | 67° | 76° | 81° | 79° | 72° | 60° | 48° | 37° |
| Low °F | 19° | 19° | 26° | 37° | 47° | 57° | 62° | 61° | 54° | 44° | 34° | 26° |
Best Time to Visit Buffalo
Late June through September. Summer delivers highs around 80°F, low humidity, long days, and the driest weather of the year. September is especially good — warm afternoons, cool nights, and early fall color without the crowds.
Severe Weather Risks
- Lake-effect snow
- Blizzards
- Extreme cold
- Windstorms
- Severe thunderstorms
Weather Facts About Buffalo
- >Buffalo averages about 95 inches of snow a year, one of the highest totals of any large US city.
- >Lake-effect bands are narrow: a single storm can bury the southern suburbs under three feet while the airport a few miles north records an inch.
- >Lake Erie is shallow and freezes over in most winters, which usually shuts the lake-effect machine down by late January or February.
- >Buffalo's average July high of 81°F is warmer than Seattle's or San Francisco's — a fact that surprises people who only know the city's winters.
- >The lake works in both directions: it holds spring back along the shoreline and then keeps September and October milder than inland Western New York.
Buffalo Weather FAQ
What is the climate in Buffalo, New York?
Buffalo has a humid continental climate: cold snowy winters and warm, relatively dry summers, heavily modified by Lake Erie. January averages a 32°F high and a 19°F low, July averages 81°F, and the city receives about 40 inches of precipitation and 95 inches of snow a year.
What is Buffalo weather like year round?
Winter is long and snowy, with highs in the 30s°F from December through February. Spring is cool and late because Lake Erie stays cold into June. July and August average highs of 79-81°F with comfortable humidity, and September and October are mild before lake-effect season starts again.
How cold does Buffalo get in winter?
January and February average highs of 32-34°F with lows near 19°F. Arctic outbreaks push temperatures below zero a few times in most winters, and wind coming off the lake makes it feel considerably colder than the thermometer reads.
How much snow does Buffalo get?
About 95 inches in an average winter. Most of it comes from lake-effect bands off Lake Erie between late November and January, and individual events have dropped more than five feet on the southern suburbs while the north side stayed nearly clear.
Why does Buffalo get so much lake-effect snow?
Cold air crossing the relatively warm water of Lake Erie picks up heat and moisture, then releases it as intense, narrow snow bands when it reaches land. Buffalo sits at the downwind end of the lake's long axis, which gives those bands the maximum possible fetch.
Does it rain a lot in Buffalo?
Rainfall itself is moderate — about 40 inches of total precipitation a year, comparable to New York City. What sets Buffalo apart is how often the sky is overcast, especially from November through March.
What is Buffalo weather like by month?
Average highs run 32°F in January, 43°F in March, 67°F in May, 81°F in July, 60°F in October and 37°F in December. Lows range from about 19°F in midwinter to 62°F in July.
When is the best time to visit Buffalo?
Late June through September. Summer highs sit around 80°F with low humidity, long daylight, and the year's driest weather. September adds cool nights and early fall color in the surrounding Niagara region.