Buffalo, NY – Western New York is shaking off a chilly start this morning, with temperatures struggling to reach seasonal norms before a cold front moves in later tonight. While most of the daylight hours will remain dry under increasing cloud cover, rain chances will surge across the Southern Tier after 6 p.m. This shift brings a quick end to the brief sun, and you’ll want to have your rain gear ready if you’re heading out for any Tuesday evening plans.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, an approaching cold front is the primary driver for tonight’s unsettled weather. While Buffalo and Rochester will see shower chances climb to around 35%, the highest probability of precipitation is concentrated toward the Pennsylvania border. Ripley and Jamestown are currently looking at a 63% to 64% chance of light rain developing within 90 minutes of sunset, which could leave secondary roads damp well before the midnight hour.
Commuters on I-90 and I-86 should prepare for potentially reduced visibility and slick pavement as the front pushes through the region. High temperatures today will peak near 54 degrees in Buffalo and slightly higher toward Dunkirk at 59 degrees, but those numbers will drop quickly once the front passes. The moisture isn’t expected to be heavy, though the timing of the light showers could linger just long enough to impact the early stages of the Wednesday morning commute.
Infrastructure impacts should remain minimal, but the sudden drop in temperatures following the rain may create localized fog in the valleys of the Southern Tier. Looking ahead, the clouds are expected to persist into Wednesday as the region settles into a cooler, post-frontal air mass. Check your local radar before heading out tomorrow morning, as the back edge of this system may be slower to exit than initially anticipated.
