Low pressure over the central Plains rapidly deepened as it moved into the central Great Lakes, ending up as a 970 mb low over western Quebec. A strong cold front trailing the low sliced through western New York trailing it and ushering in very gusty winds. The track of the strong surface low was a classic high wind track for our region. Strong cold advection and subsidence behind the cold front allowed post-frontal winds to mix down to the surface, and the 1.5 PVU surface descending down to at least 500 mb, indicative of steepening lapse rates. The wind aloft was extremely strong with 70-80 knots just off the deck. In addition, ice pushes off of the frozen Lake Erie lead to substantial pushing inland of ice on the Lake Erie shore as well as ice intrusion over the Buffalo ice boom. This resulted in ice jams on the Niagara River and flash flooding in Grand Island as a result. As colder air moved in behind it, lake effect snow developed east of the lakes with the best fetch for intense snow bands combined with wind resulting in blizzard conditions east of Lake Ontario. Selected peak wind gusts included 80 mph at Oswego, 74 mph at Niagara Falls International Airport, 69 mph at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, 69 mph in Batavia, 74 mph in Dunkirk, 66 mph at Rochester, 60 mph at Fort Drum, and 59 mph in Orchard Park. Damage was reported in every county in the forecast area from the wind. Snow totals in the lake effect wind storm induced blizzard included 10 inches in Redfield, 7.4 inches in Fulton, and 7 inches in Constableville.

High Wind in WYOMING, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 15:45:00 to 25-FEB-19 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 03:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

Lakeshore Flood in NORTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Ice pushed onshore from Lake Erie, which resulted in damage to lake shore roads and shoulders.

High Wind in ONTARIO, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 02:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 12:35:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

Lakeshore Flood in SOUTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Ice pushed onshore from Lake Erie, which resulted in damage to lake shore roads and shoulders.

High Wind in CATTARAUGUS, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 18:27:00 to 25-FEB-19 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

Lakeshore Flood in CHAUTAUQUA, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Ice pushed onshore from Lake Erie, which resulted in damage to lake shore roads and shoulders.

High Wind in ALLEGANY, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 19:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county.

Blizzard in OSWEGO, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Lakeshore Flood in NIAGARA, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Ice pushed into the Niagara River over the Buffalo ice boom, which resulted in ice jam flooding along the shoreline from Grand Island northward.

Blizzard in JEFFERSON, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in LEWIS, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flash Flood in NIAGARA, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 18:06:00 to 25-FEB-19 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH TONAWANDA
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Flash Flood in ERIE, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 18:06:00 to 25-FEB-19 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: TONAWANDA
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

High Wind in NIAGARA, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 13:50:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in NORTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 13:50:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power. Two people were injured by falling utility poles, as well.

High Wind in ORLEANS, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 15:30:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in GENESEE, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 13:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in MONROE, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 14:40:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in CHAUTAUQUA, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 11:45:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: WLON

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 12:10:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in JEFFERSON, NEW YORK
From 24-FEB-19 15:52:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in WAYNE, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in NORTHERN CAYUGA, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 02:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in OSWEGO, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 07:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: WLON

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.

High Wind in LEWIS, NEW YORK
From 25-FEB-19 04:40:00 to 25-FEB-19 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Many reports were received of trees and wires down throughout the county causing substantial structural damage to homes and businesses. Thousands were reported without power.