Jennifer Stanonis is the weekend evening meteorologist at WGRZ Channel 2 in Buffalo, NY. She joined Channel 2 in June, 2012. Jennifer is a Northern California native and moved to Western New York nearly a decade ago, in 2005, when she started forecasting on Buffalo television. She has covered most severe weather events here since, from the studio anchoring and out in the field reporting. These include the Cheektowaga tornado and the October Snowstorm of 2006, numerous tornado outbreaks, and damaging snow and wind events.
Jennifer has a calculus based Meteorology degree from SUNY College at Brockport. She graduated in the top of her class and in the Honor's Program. Jennifer also founded the local Brockport Chapter of the National Weather Association (NWA) and Meteorology Club in 2011 at the College at Brockport. She is a member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), the National Weather Association and has her Broadcast Meteorology Certificate from Mississippi State University.
Before moving to Buffalo, Jennifer was a weather anchor, weekend news anchor, and general assignment reporter for two years at KCWY, NBC in Casper, Wyoming. There she covered the weather and news of the entire state, including deadly EF-3 and EF-4 tornadoes, severe cold weather outbreaks, large forest fires, and damaging wind and snow events. Jennifer was also sent to cover the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery in July, 2005 at the Kennedy Space Center, FL.
Jennifer has received several awards including a station Associated Press award for severe weather coverage in Western New York, various local weather honors, and an Associated Press Best Documentary News Series Award for her coverage of the growing problem of "Meth" in the state of Wyoming. Jennifer also has a Journalism degree from San Francisco State University where she was awarded a journalism scholarship, graduated in three years with honors, and was chosen to make the commencement speech at graduation.
In her spare time she enjoys a variety of activities including scuba diving, rock climbing, sculling, and playing the piano. In the Western New York area her top outdoor picks are cross country skiing, golfing, running, and playing tennis! She lives in Buffalo with her husband Ted.
E-mail: jstanonis@wgrz.com
Facebook: Jen Stanonis
Twitter: @JenStanonis
Jennifer Stanonis's Blog Entries
9:31 PM, May 19, 2013
Western New York is below average with rainfall by more than an inch and a half.
Average rain since March 1st in Buffalo should be at 7.89" but rain received so far is at 6.17". Average rain for May at this point should be at 2.01" but rain received so far is at 1.19".
There's a chance of afternoon rain and thunderstorms Monday mainly inland. Greater chance for much needed widespread rain comes Monday night through Thursday.
Dry, less humid, and cooler conditions on Friday into the weekend.
9:29 PM, May 18, 2013
I just wanted to say thanks for all your support over the years Western New York, Northern PA, and friends in Canada!
I have now upgraded from a broadcast meteorologist to a full meteorologist! Another college degree is completed. I graduated with honors from SUNY College at Brockport with a calculus based Meteorology degree, on Friday.
I commuted Monday through Friday from Buffalo to Brockport for two years, and the past year I also worked weekends so calculate that, no days off! Needless to say I am now done with that crazy schedule and will just focus on my husband and work (forecasting).
Here's my updated bio!
Jennifer Stanonis is the weekend evening meteorologist at WGRZ Channel 2 in Buffalo, NY. She joined Channel 2 in June, 2012. Jennifer is a Northern California native and moved to Western New York nearly a decade ago, in 2005, when she started forecasting on Buffalo television. She has c
5:24 PM, May 18, 2013
Buffalo, NY -- I was discussing the potential of an active 2013 a couple months ago when the global patterns were showing deep cold spells and then high warm patterns early in the warm season. (The stronger the difference in temperatures is over a smaller distance, the greater the chance for active weather.) The atmosphere works quickly to balance itself out.
Tornadic Climatology also shows this year's warm season may be an active 2013. Tornado data since the 1980's in Western New York shows an off and on type trend. For a few years in a row there will be confirmed tornadoes, then the next year there will be 0 tornadoes. This pattern seems to continue.
In 2008 there were 0 tornadoes recorded in Western New York. The next three years were active. 4 tornadoes were confirmed in 2009, 5 tornadoes in 2010, and 2 tornadoes in 2011. Last year there were 0 tornadoes recorded and not even one torn
6:29 PM, May 5, 2013
Western New York's weather continues to have temperatures well above average and sunny skies. But as we enjoy the dry conditions the area has dropped below average with rainfall. Buffalo has been dry since April 30th with temperatures above 70 degrees F. The beautiful six day stretch should last until Thursday which would make 9 days straight of no measurable rain and 70s.
The area will need some rain after this since Buffalo is now below average for the month of May and since March 1st. Average rain for May is 0.51". So far received 0.0". Average rain since March 1st is about 6.4" and so far only received 4.98". The area may finally get some rain on Thursday with a greater chance on Saturday.
Average temperatures this time of year are in the low 60s. Record highs are usually in the mid to upper 80s. This is definitely cut and paste San Diego weather! It w
5:33 PM, Apr 28, 2013
I think it's finally safe to box up those winter boots and coats. I know I now have all the spring and summer attire dominating the closet once again.
This next week will be a warm one. Monday will have rain and a high of 68 but then temperatures will climb to the mid to upper 70s for the rest of the week, about 15 to 20 degrees above average and getting closer to the record highs in the mid 80s.
Most of the week will be dry as well with sunshine. It's a good week for a "stay-cation"!
Like many of you I'll be squeezing in some play time outdoors when I can, even some work around the home since it is time for spring cleaning!
10:48 PM, Apr 27, 2013
April is almost over and is finishing above average with rainfall.
April rain in Buffalo is on average 3.01". As of April 27th, Buffalo received 3.78" for the month, nearly 1" above average.
Average April snow is 2.6". Buffalo received only 0.3" of snow for the month this year.
For the last few days of April high temperatures will be warm at near to around 70 degrees F and lows will be well above freezing so no snow expected.
However there may be a few rain showers which will bring up the April rain totals even further above average.
9:59 PM, Apr 20, 2013
Temperatures will be about 20 degrees below average into Sunday morning.
High pressure building in will dry things up but also keep the colder air in place.
High temperatures on Saturday only made it into the upper 30s and low 40s. Buffalo had a night temperature of 41 degrees F. The average is 57.
Temperatures Saturday night will drop even more, down to the upper teens for parts of the Southern Tier, and mid 20s elsewhere.
11:38 PM, Apr 19, 2013
Colder air is now in place behind a cold front that moved through the area Friday, drastically dropping temepratures.
In Buffalo, the temperature was 70 degrees F at noon which dropped down to 54 degrees F by 1pm.
I sure felt it! I was driving from the Rochester area to Buffalo Friday afternoon. I noticed the temperature at a wonderful 76 degrees F on my car thermometer in Batavia. As I approached Buffalo it dropped quickly. Less than an hour later I arrived in Buffalo and the temperature was at 44 degrees! Felt like a bolt of cold air when I got out of my car.
The warmer temps definitely make me forget the fact I usually run in 0 degree temps in the winter.
11:33 PM, Apr 14, 2013
Buffalo, NY-- Steady rainfall from last week caused some minor flooding locally with rainfall totals of more than 3 inches in several locations. Buffalo is now nearly 2 inches above average with rain so far this month.
For the full story click the link above.
11:30 PM, Apr 14, 2013
Wanted to repost my "Stanonis Stats" package from the winter.
Click above for the full story!
10:35 PM, Apr 6, 2013
Temperatures will finally warm above average into the week.
Highs will be in the mid to upper 50s on Sunday. The area hasn't felt this in about a week.
High temperatures will increase to the low 60s on Monday. These temperatures haven't been this high for nearly a month here.
Along with the above average temps, scattered rain will move through at times on Sunday with partly sunny skies at times.
More rain is expected to move in later Monday.
3:19 PM, Apr 1, 2013
It was a warm Easter this year with rain showers, which isn't as rare as you may think.
The high temperature for Easter Sunday, 2013 was 58 degrees, well above the daily average of 48, in Buffalo. Rainfall was measured at the Buffalo Airport at 0.08".
Looking back at high temperatures for Easter over the past 12 years, about half of the Easter Sundays were at or above average, and half had precipitation, mainly in the form of rain.
However, take the data with a grain of salt since Easter can fall on a Sunday in March or even in late April.
Note: My current meteorology intern, Chase, helped me with these stats. Yes, he interned on Easter. That's how it is in this business. Work odd hours and most holidays. Have to really love what you do!
10:20 PM, Mar 10, 2013
Daylight Saving time resumed Sunday, March 10th at 2am. The sunrise is now at 7:35am and sunset at 7:16pm! I know I love daylight longer in the evening. Motivates me to actually run later in the day. Spring is only a week and a half away, but it felt like spring this past weekend! Colder temperatures are expected though leading up to March 20th. This means St. Patrick's Day weekend this year will be much colder than last year's 70s. But at least this year's cooler temperatures won't harm the crops. Last year's early March warmth damaged many of our state's crops.