For Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counties from 1 p.m. Monday through 1 a.m. Friday a winter storm warning is in effect from the National Weather Service. Total snow accumulation between 1 and 3 feet, with wind gusts as high as 65 mph creating whiteout conditions.
A high wind warning is in effect for the above counties, plus northern Erie, Niagara, Genesee and Orleans counties. Wind gusts can reach as high as 75 mph, peaking along the Lake Erie shoreline and downtown Buffalo. This remain in effect until Tuesday at 1 a.m.
(Update 6:22 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2025)
Power Outages
NYSEG has restored some customers with power, and their outages now stand at just above 9,000 in the region. Outages for National Grid have now grown to more than 25,000 customers in Western New York. As crews for both companies are in the field working on repairs, National Grid spokesperson David Bertola told BTPM NPR it's an all hands on deck effort.
"We have somewhere around 3,100 line workers, tree workers and public safety specialists who are helping us out," said Bertola. "Some came from Quebec and Ontario, as well as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland and Connecticut. So we made sure that we have enough resources and people, because this storm was looking like it was going to be severe, and it's certainly delivering."
NYSEG and Rochester Gas and Electric CEO Patricia Nilsen said they have shifted additional resources to Western New York which is currently the company's worst impacted area.
"This is really a downed-wire event. We're finding that in the most cases, it's really the trees that are making contact with our power lines, and in some cases they are bringing the wires down," Nilsen said.
She warned people to stay well away from downed wires and said they should be reported immediately by calling 9-1-1.
(Update 3:50 p.m. Monday Dec. 29, 2025)
Forecast Outlook
As gale force winds continue in the region, BTPM NPR's Ryan Zunner spoke with meteorologist Ray Miller with BTPM-partner Weatherology about the current conditions, and how long they'll be hitting Western New York.
(Update 12:52 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2025)
Closures
Both Erie County and City of Buffalo government offices have closed early today. That includes the Rath Building and City Hall. Non-essential government employees will be released early. Leaders encourage residents to conduct any business online, if applicable.
The University at Buffalo has sent out an alert to faculty, staff and students advising all non-essential personnel to leave campus. Any classes or campus activities scheduled are also being canceled.
Northtown Center at Amherst was set to close at 2:30 p.m., while Explore & More Children's Museum in Buffalo's Canalside was closing at 3 p.m.
(Update 11:38 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2025)
Power Outages
Outages from National Grid remain at slightly more than 2,500, but NYSEG customers in Western New York are experiencing an increase in outages. The latest map from NYSEG shows more than 10,700 customers without power. That includes new outages in the North Boston and Hamburg areas at over 6,000 customers effected.
To check restoration times for National Grid, click here.
To check restoration times for NYSEG, click here.
(Update 10:36 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2025)
Travel Advisory Issued
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has issued a travel advisory for all of Erie County beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday. Officials tell residents to avoid any unnecessary travel, as wind gusts continue to pick up. More than 2,000 NYSEG customers in West Seneca and Orchard Park are currently without power. More than 5,000 National Grid in WNY have lost power, as crews work to restore service.
(Update 5:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2025)
Increasing winds were arriving in Western New York early Monday morning, with scattered power outages already happening.
Erie County offers an interactive map which allows users to track anticipated snowfalls within the county. It may be found here: https://nyswrcc.org/coeweather/ecwss/
Road Closures
Starting at 6 a.m. Monday, the Skyway will close to all traffic due to forecasted high winds and inclement weather. In totality, Route 5 will be closed from Route 179 (Mile Strip) all the way to the I-190, according to Town of Hamburg Emergency Services.
The Niagara County Sheriff's Office reported Townline Road in the Town of Wheatfield was closed early Monday between Hill Road and Forest Parkway due to a fallen tree in the roadway.
River Road in Tonawanda between Sawyer and Grand Island Boulevard, west of the South Grand Island Bridge, was closed Sunday evening due to flooding.
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Below are the latest watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service as of Monday morning.
High Wind Warning
A High Wind Warning is in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday for Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Genesee, Wyoming, and Chautauqua Counties.
Southwest winds 35 to 45 miles per hour are expected with gusts up to 75 miles per hour.
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Shallow rooted trees in a saturated ground will be more susceptible to falling. Travel will be extremely difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Flood Warning
A Flood Warning is in effect until Monday at 4 p.m. for Cazenovia Creek at Ebenezer. According to the National Weather Service, flood stage is at 10 feet. The creek level is expected to rise to 10.5 feet Monday morning before falling below flood stage.
Motorists are instructed to turn around and not attempt to travel through a flooded road.
Lakeshore Flood Warning
A Lakeshore Flood Warning is in effect from until 10 p.m. Monday for Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara Counties.
The rapid rise in water levels will result in lakeshore flooding along the Lake Erie and Upper Niagara River shores. Along the Lake Erie shore, flooding is likely along Route 5 in Hamburg, Buffalo Harbor and Canalside, Dunkirk Harbor, and other flood prone locations. Along the Upper Niagara River, flooding is likely to affect Grand Island and Cayuga Island. Very high wave action will also result in significant shoreline erosion.
Flood Watch
A Flood Watch remains in effect for all of Western New York through Monday afternoon.
Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible near area rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Storm Warning
A Storm Warning (for Gale Force Winds) is in effect for the entire shoreline of Lake Erie from 8 a.m. through 9 p.m. Monday, and for the Lake Ontario shoreline from 11 a.m. through 9 p.m. Monday.
Along Lake Erie, forecasters expect west winds up to 50 knots (57 miles per hour) and waves 15 to 20 feet are possible. On the Lake Ontario shoreline, winds up to 50 knots are expected with waves ranging from 18 to 23 feet.
Gale Warning
A Gale Warning is in effect from 8 a.m. through 9 p.m. Monday for the Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor. Southwest winds of 45 knots (approximately 52 miles per hour) are expected, causing hazardous waves which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Winter Storm Warning
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Monday until 1 a.m. Friday for most of the southern half of Western New York, including Southern Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming Counties.
Heavy snow is expected, with accumulations of 1 to 3 feet expected. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph will create blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions.
Such conditions will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel
will be very difficult. These hazardous conditions will impact travel through the week.
Lake effect snow is expected to oscillate several times downwind of Lake Erie this week. Snowfall amounts could be higher than forecasted where lake bands persist during this long duration event. The strongest winds will be today and tonight.
Winter Weather Advisory
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. Monday for Northern Erie and Genesee Counties.
Snow and blowing snow are expected, with accumulations of 2 to 5 inches in the most persistent lake snow areas. Winds may gust as high as 75 mph.
Plan on slippery road conditions and brief periods of whiteout conditions. Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. In the Buffalo area, the hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute Monday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Allegany County until 3:45 a.m. Wednesday. Lake snows accumulations of 5 to 9 inches are expected during this period. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph will create difficult travel conditions. The highest amounts of snow are expected across the north and west portions of the county. Forecast snowfall amounts could be higher where lake bands persist during this long duration event.