There are plenty of people in Western New York who know all too well about early October snowstorms. In the Buffalo area, the October surprise storm will always be something we remember.

The combination of snow falling on trees that were still covered with leaves was not only beautiful, but also extremely dangerous. The weight of the snow snapped tree branches and power lines and created a mess on roadways for at least the next 24 hours.

New York State Has Already Seen Some October Snow

The good news is that I don’t see any forecasts calling for heavy snow across much of New York State over the next week or two. However, in some of the higher elevations, specifically in the Adirondack Mountains, light snow flurries have already started to show up.

NYup.com reported on it’s Facebook page that “The top of Whiteface Mountain saw its first signs of winter this afternoon”.

Related: Lake Storm “Aphid” Slams Western New York

Temperatures in the afternoons have been hovering around the mid-50s to mid-60s over the last couple of days. Overnight lows have dipped into the 30s in some spots, and frost and freeze warnings have become part of the routine.

What Could Winter Bring to New York State?

The forecast for the winter, according to some meteorologists, is calling for a strong El Niño pattern. That could mean warmer-than-average temperatures across parts of the country, and it could even have an impact on the Great Lakes.

Will that be a good thing? Or could it actually spell trouble when it comes to lake-effect snowstorms?

It really remains to be seen. When you live along two of the Great Lakes that can produce massive amounts of snow, you never really know what Mother Nature has in store.

Enjoy October While It Lasts

Enjoy October! It certainly is an interesting time of year here in New York State because temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. Before you know it, we might be wearing our snow suits over our Halloween costumes!

For now, enjoy the fall colors, cooler temperatures and everything that makes October in New York State so special.