When it comes to snow in Western New York, nothing can be a bad thing. And that’s about what we’ve had this year — nothing.
“It’s weird,” said Dan Kelly, Buffalo meteorologist for the National Weather Service. “We’ve only had 5.5 inches so far this season. We had 43.6 inches by this time last year.”
Though snow is predicted for Friday and Saturday, “some areas will only see a dusting, some about 2 inches,” Kelly said.
Pastor Michael Foster of Livingston Place, and his wife, Megan, have four children and many friends who visit the Foster home. “There’s nothing like playing Kan-Jam in January,” Foster said.
“We also love being able to pick up the kids at school, enjoy the outside and talk with the other parents. We do love snow, but not the shoveling part.”
While the mild weather has given the community the opportunity for long walks with the dogs in the park, the lack of snow has impacted at least two local businesses.
“This is the least amount in many years,” said Bonnie Weidert, owner of Snowflake Ski Shop & Two Four Five Snowboard Company, in Lockport. “I can’t swear in the newspaper, so I won’t.”
As Snowflake Ski Shop celebrates 40 years in business, Weidert emphasized that the ski slopes, like Kissing Bridge and HoliMont, are open and “just as fun” as always.
“I go about 15 times a year and went on Sunday, too,” Weidert said. “Just because you don’t have snow in your backyard in Niagara County, people need to know the slopes are open. We’re going to get hit, so take advantage of it.”
Snowflake Ski Shop, at 245 S. Transit, has a full line of skiing equipment, snowboards, protective gear, and related clothing.
“Things are a little slow right now,” said Joe Panepento of JP Facility Service of Campbell Boulevard, which manages snow plowing for the Office Max, Bon-Ton, and Yahoo parking lots, among others. “We’re waiting for something to happen.”
Kelly said the chance of snow is 60 percent for this weekend, and the temperature is going to drop by about 10 degrees.
“This lack of snow is caused by the upper level flow that’s keeping the cold air up in Canada,” Kelly said. “So we’re getting warmer air from the Southwest.”
So, when will the “real” winter get here?
“Too early to tell,” Kelly said. “Keep in mind though, we still have three months left.”
Local News
Related Photos
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Day Road Park in the Town of Lockport looked beautiful Sunday evening as a full moon in a deep blue night sky led to a sunny day and bright blue sky on Monday. The night before was a beautiful blue sky and a full moon leading to a blue sky and sunny day Stephen M. Wallace
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Mike Sansone of Lockport enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather just before noon Monday with a walk along the canal. Stephen M. Wallace
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From left, Shelby, Jenny and Gepetto, the Wallace family’s dogs all enjoy the morning sun in Lockport on Monday morning. Stephen M. Wallace
Weird weather
Snow will come — eventually
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