Clipper to Impact the Great Lakes and Northeast with Blast of Winter Weather

A strengthening clipper storm will shift across southeastern Canada Wednesday and Thursday with a arctic cold front crossing the Great Lakes and Northeast which will produce intense bursts of snow and gusty winds. Localized short-duration blizzard conditions will be possible with several feet of additional lake effect snow in the Great Lakes. Dry and warm conditions are expected in the West. Read More >

Western New York Weather History

MARCH 03

1991

A devastating ice storm paralyzed a large section of Western and portions of Northern New York. The freezing rain began during the late afternoon of Sunday the 3rd, continuing through the morning of the 4th. The ice coated trees and power lines and sent them crashing to the ground along with utility poles and transformers. There were also numerous reports of structural damage from the weight of the ice. Ice buildups ranged from one to two inches over the hardest hit areas. Over the western fringes of the storm area, the coating of ice was followed by 4-6" of heavy, wet snow. At its peak, nearly 325,000 customers were without electricity. Virtually all schools and businesses were shut down Monday and Tuesday (March 4th and 5th) in the affected areas. In the cities of Rochester and Watertown, schools were closed for the entire week. High water in flooded basements was commonplace when sump pumps were unable to work due power failures. Governor Mario Cuomo declared eighteen counties

State Disaster Areas. State agencies were authorized to provide manpower and equipment in helping residents affected by the storm. Utility crews were brought in from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Canada to aid in the restoration of power which was not accomplished until March 16th. President Bush signed an order declaring 12 counties Federal Disaster areas. It was the most costly natural disaster in the history of New York State.

2002

Low pressure over Indiana deepened as it moved northeast. The strong southwest flow was funneled up the length of Lake Erie and produced damage across the Niagara Frontier. Trees and power lines were downed. Structural damage was also reported in Erie and Niagara Counties.

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