Patrick Hammer

Buffalo

Chief Meteorologist at WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, NY)

Chief Meteorologist at WGRZ in #Buffalo. Weather alerts and wisdom, musings on The Bills. USC. #phish #deadhead

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Frost advisory issued for Western NY

2 weeks ago | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Frost Advisory has been issued for all of Western New York early for tomorrow morning, except for Niagara and Orleans counties. A cold air mass will be settling into Western New York today and with clearing skies temperatures will tumble tonight. Low temperatures will fall into the low of mid 30s in the valleys of the Southern Tier. Mid to upper 30s are possible from the Southtowns in towards the Buffalo Metro.
Flood watch issued for Allegany County until Wednesday

1 month ago | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Flood Watch has been issued for Allegany County beginning this afternoon and lasting until Wednesday morning. Additional rain is expected over the next 24-hours and excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks streams and other low lying areas. Flooding has already occurred in the Town of Nunda and Canaseraga. Thunder showers are expected to develop in the area this afternoon and evening with 1 to 2 inches of additional rain possible.
Parts of WNY and Southern Erie County faces storm threat today

1 month ago | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Weather Impact Alert has been issued for the southern half of Erie County into the Southern Tier. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms could produce heavy downpours and even hail. Although the best chance of severe weather today will occur from Buffalo and areas South, all of Western New York is under the threat of late day thunderstorms.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch for all of WNY

Aug 5, 2024 | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for all of WNY through this evening. There is a potential for strong to severe storms producing 60 mph winds and up to quarter size hail. A Flash Flood Warning has also been issued for parts of Erie County due to torrential rains. 1 -2 " of rain have fallen over parts of East Central Erie County, including the towns of West Seneca, East Aurora, Lackawanna, Elma and Buffalo.
One of the warmest winters on record in Buffalo

Feb 19, 2024 | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — With 10 days to go before our winter season officially comes to a close, it looks like the winter of 2023-2024 will go down as a very warm one. In fact, a record warm one. Meteorological winter is considered the months of December, January and February. If winter were to end today, this would go down as the warmest winter on record with data going back to 1939. The mean average temperature, calculating all of the daytime highs and lows, currently sits at 34.2°.
What is a snow drought, and how is it impacting WNY?

Feb 8, 2024 | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Despite some hefty snowfalls around Buffalo over the past two seasons, much of western and central New York has been dealing with a snow drought over the past two years. This year's snow season is rivaling the lack of snow that fell during last year's snow season to date. Here are a few examples. Buffalo has received 53.6" of snow this season which is over one foot below average. Rochester has picked up 34.4" of snow w this season, which is nearly 30" below average for the date.
Quiet and mild weather for the first week of February

Feb 5, 2024 | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ever since our prolific lake affect snow from a few weeks ago, the weather pattern across WNY has been relatively calm. That trend is going to continue through the first full week of February, Temperatures are really expected to warm up to spring-like values. Clouds have returned on Monday after enjoying two sun-filled days over the weekend. Skies will partially clear later today, and more sunshine is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
What's with all the fog?

Jan 25, 2024 | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The past few days have been rather foggy across Western New York, and we have to thank last week's heavy lake effect snow for that. During the cool season, WNY can be a foggy place. One of the main reasons is melting snow. Last week, most of WNY received abundant snowfall, some places more than others. That snow does have an impact on the air above it. As temperatures warm, that snow pack begins to melt.
The Polar Vortex....winters coldest wrath

Jan 16, 2024 | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Where is the coldest air in the northern hemisphere? Well, probably where are you expected, over the North Pole. What causes a polar vortex? A circulation of jet stream level winds in circles the North Pole, and it keeps that area of bitter cold arctic air over the top of the earth. However, in the winter time that jet level wind can begin to buckle or even move off the pole and head closer to mid- latitude locations, including the United States.
What happened to the Thanksgiving snow storm?

Nov 20, 2023 | wgrz.com | Patrick Hammer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — One minute you hear there is going to be a major lake effect snowfall is expected over Thanksgiving, and the next minute the forecast changes 180°. Why did that happen and why was so much concern relayed by the National Weather Service and other government agencies only to have those warnings pulled back so quickly? First and foremost the reaction of the National Weather Service was spot on in its decision to be out front of this potential weather event.