9 Wintertime Struggles Only True Buffalonians Can Fully Appreciate
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Lea Monroe
Author
Out of all the four seasons that we experience here in Buffalo, one might assume that the one we have the worst relationship with is our dear friend winter – but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Talk to any Buffalonian that has made the decision to move south and away from the Queen City and they’ll often tell you that they actually miss our magical winters. If you’ve come to appreciate this season just as much as we have, you’ll love our list below.
Contrary to popular belief (or to the belief of those who live outside of the Queen City), it's not always snowing here in Buffalo - we have our off days! While some seek out our city as their own temporary winter wonderland, there are plenty of periods throughout the winter where we aren't neck-deep in a lake-effect vortex of snow.
As Buffalonians, we'll never be able to escape the relationship that we have with lake-effect storms. These intense storms have such a long history with us that we've become masters of keeping busy during the winter. Whether we head outdoors to make snowmen and igloos or take advantage of the weather by staying indoors by the fire, we know exactly what to do.
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In the midst of Mother Nature’s winter shenanigans, there are days when cars parked on the street become massive, indiscernible snow drifts. There’s nothing more disheartening than spending 45 minutes clearing out a car, only to find that it’s actually your neighbor’s car hiding beneath the mound of snow. We grin and bear it (we are the "City of Good Neighbors," after all), but we all cross our fingers and hope that we hit the jackpot when we pick a spot to start digging.
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But we aren’t changing our original routes due to vibrantly colored ghosts out to get us; we’re zig-zagging around the city due to detours and road closures, thank’s to Mother Nature’s wild child, a.k.a. Winter.
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The love-hate relationship that Buffalonians have with snow days is one that we will tango with until the end of time. As a city that's all too familiar with snow, we're more than prepared for it… which means that snow days are few and far between. The good news? When we finally do get a snow day, it's like winning the lottery.
Even with modern technology on our side, Buffalo’s wild winter weather can still be unpredictable, and you simply can’t be ready for everything. On the bright side, an unexpected blizzard that arrives before we’ve had enough time to go out and grab a grade-A sled for the year, we always find a way to make our own. Might as well make the best of it, right?
We all feel the seasonal tragedy of saying farewell to Western New York’s lush summers and vibrant fall foliage, and staring out at an endlessly white landscape all around us makes it feel like we’re living in an entirely different city. Nothing looks the way we’re used to seeing it, which can make us a little melancholy, but we push through it be appreciating the natural beauty of the frozen lakes, forests, and waterfalls while also dreaming of the colorful blooms brighten up the land once spring arrives.
It’s still dark when we wake up, and it’s dark again by late afternoon. For those who work indoors, it can feel like we never even see daylight during the depths of winter. On the bright side (literally), the longer nights give us more time to appreciate the glittering lights that illuminate the Buffalo skyline.
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Many longtime Buffalonians have had plenty of practice with driving in winter conditions, but unfortunately, not everyone shares these skills. It’s just as important to keep an eye on the drivers around you as it is to be on the lookout for ice. However, we’re going to turn lemons into lemonade right now: if you’re out driving on the roads, it means you’ve survived the ordeal of digging out your car. Hallelujah!
If you’re ready to enjoy the season, read about how You Won’t Want To Miss The Most Festive Holiday Market Near Buffalo This Season!
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