A complex area of low pressure developed over the midsection of the nation and strengthened as it moved into the western Great Lakes region then into Quebec. Winds accompanying the system increased rapidly across the area ranging from 30 to 40 m.p.h. sustained readings with the strongest gusts downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario. A peak gust of 75 m.p.h. was recorded at 8:21 a.m. EST at the Buffalo Airport. Close to 100,000 customers lost power during the storm and nearly 90,000 were without phone service. Downed trees damaged several structures and automobiles. The strong winds tore off roofs and shingles on many buildings. At the Buffalo Airport, wind gusts blew several jetways into the terminal building and the airport lost power during much of the storm. In Ripley, downed powerlines caused the closing of the eastbound lanes of the New York State Thruway. At Orchard Park, the wind tore a 2 feet by 50 feet section of the roof the Buffalo Bills field house. The wind picked up gravel and windows and windshields of numerous cars in the stadium parking lot were broken. Inside the stadium, the strong winds tilted both goal posts. Also near the stadium, a concession trailer was blown over with only minor injuries to the occupants reported. The Thousand Islands Bridge was closed for five hours after wind gusts flipped two southbound trucks.

High Wind in NORTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:02:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in GENESEE, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:15:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in CHAUTAUQUA, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 08:15:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High Wind in NORTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 08:21:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in ORLEANS, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:15:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in MONROE, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:17:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in SOUTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:00:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in LEWIS, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 10:58:00 to 28-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in ONTARIO, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 10:40:00 to 28-DEC-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in NIAGARA, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:10:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in WYOMING, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:10:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in CHAUTAUQUA, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:15:00 to 28-DEC-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in OSWEGO, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 10:40:00 to 28-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in JEFFERSON, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 10:54:00 to 28-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 09:54:00 to 28-DEC-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in WAYNE, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 10:50:00 to 28-DEC-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in NORTHERN CAYUGA, NEW YORK
From 28-DEC-08 10:30:00 to 28-DEC-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement