2007-2008
Buf airport winds stayed at
200/210...keeping temps in 30s...while city and north saw 250 winds.
A new intense band formed ahead of the approaching trof and was
perhaps enhanced by this additional wind boundary and brought
several intense cells right up over the Buffalo Airport and on to
western Genesee County. Over an inch of QPF fell in the form of very
heavy graupel...which amounted to 2-3 inches in this narrow area.
Hail is from severe weather, sleet is from winter weather. I know we had graupel in 2007 in October in lake effect rain band and KBUF counted it as winter precip.
I did the Gothics loop. Doing all 46 high peaks up there, at 19/46 so far. This is from someone else in the dacks from a 46er page I follow. I went on Monday which was terrible weather, but Fri-Sunday were perfect conditions.
Just got back from Lake George for my buddies bachelor party. It was warm enough Saturday to take a boat out and go tubing and cliff jumping. Then hiked up and backpacked the Gothic high peak loop on Sunday/Monday. It was sunny and warm in the town and chilly and wet the entire 15 hour and 19 mile hike. Just brutal up there! The entire high peak region is just about at peak foliage. Unfortunately couldn't see anything above 3,000 feet due to being in the clouds/fog. Up to 19/46 peaks!
For the high peaks you start needing them in mid October, a few weeks early. They can get accumulating snow there from September to June. Last year my buddy hit a whiteout up there in beginning of October.
If there is a storm system around or lake effect, too far out. But definitely enough cold air above 2-3k feet for snow. From the hikers this past weekend, anything above 3500 feet was full of ice. You need to bring your microspikes already.
Cases and deaths look way down this week. The middle of the country seems to be seeing a slight rise in cases. West coast and north-east coast look pretty good.