It is unlikely to snow prior to the end of October. Mixed weather patterns prevail. Rain and cloudy skies are common. Arctic high pressure generally dominates during the winter months bringing cold and clear days. Snow is moderate.
Snow storms are infrequent.
Lake effect snowfalls are mainly localized to areas near Buffalo and southward. Lake temperatures are generally warmer than the surrounding air temperatures which sets up dynamics required for lake effect snow. Lake Erie, during extended cold weather will freeze over completely. This eliminates the lake effect snow mechanism but become a less of a temperate moderating factor upon the surrounding land mass. During the past two years, winters have been milder than most, resulting in Lake Erie not freezing over.