Posted in Buffalo December 05, 2017 by

11 Brutal Truths About Surviving A Buffalo Winter

Winter is coming… and it’s coming with a vengeance. Whether you’re ready for the white stuff to fly or ready to fly south to avoid it, the change in seasons is inevitable. New Buffalonians and out-of-towners coming in for the holidays, please take note: here are 11 brutal truths you need to know about surviving a Buffalo winter.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
1. Mother Nature is unpredictable.
Pockafwye - Flickr
It can be 60º and sunny one day, and 30º and snowy the next. Don't believe us? Check the local weather forecast for Buffalo on any given week in December.
2. Lake effect snow means business.
NOAA Photo Library - Flickr
The "snow wall" can be seen several times a winter – mostly making its way to bury the Southtowns and ski country in fresh powder.
3. We often get green Christmases...
Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza - Facebook
Much to our dismay.
4. And white Easters.
The Wesleyan Church of Hamburg - Facebook
Even more to our dismay!
5. Getting snowed in is a very real possibility.
Anthony Quintano - Flickr
Just ask the Buffalonians who suffered through Snowvember back in 2014 or the Blizzard of '77.
6. Downtown becomes an arctic wind tunnel in December and January.
Eric Pitman - Flickr
Bundle up, Buffalonians! No one will judge your fashion choices when the wind chills reach sub-zero temperatures downtown. Wear whatever it takes to keep warm!
7. It's typically best to avoid the Skyway during snowy conditions.
Linda DiDomizio - Flickr
Unless you particularly enjoy being 100 feet above ground, stuck in traffic, and feeling your vehicle sway from the winter winds. White knuckle, anyone?
8. Heed all warnings about road closures.
Chris Price - Flickr
There's nothing worse than getting stuck on the 90 for hours – or days – on end due to snow-covered roads.
9. We have months at a time with frigid cold temperatures.
Shawn Harquail - Flickr
Eventually, you just get used to losing feeling in your fingers the moment you step outside.
10. You'll need to stock up on essentials well before an oncoming storm.
Andrew Dallos - Flickr
By essentials, we don't mean milk, eggs, and bread. In Buffalo, our stores sell out of beer and Bison Dip before a blizzard!
11. Think twice before parking your car overnight along Route 5.
Ryan Hallock - Flickr
Icy temperatures + high winds coming off Lake Erie = the perfect recipe for a car-cicle.

Ready or not, here it comes! Share this article with your out-of-town friends so they can get a glimpse of what life is really like during winter in Buffalo, or save it to mentally prepare yourself for the change in forecasts coming soon. Tell us your survival tactics for winter weather in the comments below!