x
Breaking News
More () »

Snow on April 1, how Mother Nature has fooled Buffalonians before

Even this year, afternoon temperatures will be nearly 40 degrees colder than where they just two days before.
Credit: WGRZ

BUFFALO, N.Y. — From snow showers to temperatures in the 70s, April Fools' Day has a history of flip flopping conditions year to year in Buffalo. 

The forecast for April 1st this year is much different than what we experienced last year, or even just two days ago. Morning wind chill values were in the 20s, afternoon high temperatures will only rise into the mid-upper 30s and scattered lake snow showers are possible through the afternoon. 

This is a far cry from what is the seasonal average for April 1st, morning lows in the lower 30s and afternoon high temperatures in the upper 40s. And that's pretty much what Western New York experienced last April Fools' Day, with a morning low temperature of 34 degrees and an afternoon high temperature of 50 degrees on April 1, 2020. 

The highest temperature Buffalo has experienced on April Fools Day is 78 degrees, which was just about a decade ago on April 1, 2010. And the coldest temperature ever recorded, 5 degrees in 1923. 

Thursday's lake snow showers are going to be scattered in nature and leave behind minimal, if any, accumulation. The most snow recorded falling on April 1st in Buffalo is 3.9 inches and was set back in 1992. The most rain that fell on April Fools Day was 0.68 inches and set back in 1973. 

The coldest high temperature is the only reasonable weather record Buffalo was near this year for April 1st, seeing as it was going to be the coldest day of the week. But even by 11 a.m. temperatures were near freezing, and the record for lowest afternoon high temperature is 24 degrees, set in 1907.

Before You Leave, Check This Out