Brace Yourself, Buffalo: January 2026 Weather Preview is Here!

Well, here we are, staring down the barrel of January 2026 in Buffalo, and if history is any guide, we're in for a real taste of winter. You know, that bone-chilling kind that makes you question all your life choices when the alarm goes off on a particularly frigid morning. It’s a city renowned for its snowy, often icy winters, and the first month of the new year typically doesn't disappoint on that front – or maybe I should say, it delivers exactly what we expect: cold, cold, and more cold, usually with a generous helping of snow on the side.

Let's kick things off right with New Year's Day. If you're planning any outdoor celebrations or just a leisurely walk to shake off the previous night's festivities, be prepared to bundle up, and I mean really bundle up. We're talking temperatures likely struggling to climb out of the low 20s, perhaps even staying stubbornly in the teens. And don't forget the wind chill, that sneaky factor that makes it feel even colder than the thermometer suggests. It's safe to say that warm layers, hats, gloves, and a good scarf will be your absolute best friends. There’s a decent chance we could see some light snow showers, a gentle, almost artistic reminder that winter has truly settled in for the long haul.

As we push deeper into January, towards the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the forecast pattern typically shows more of the same, though with the classic Buffalo twist: lake effect snow. Ah, lake effect – our unique brand of winter magic, or mayhem, depending on your perspective! While the first week might see some relatively calmer, albeit still very cold, days, watch out for those shifting wind directions. When they line up just right over Lake Erie, we could easily see localized, heavy snowfall bands. This means one part of the city might get a few inches, while a neighborhood just miles away could be digging out from a foot or more. Travel during the MLK weekend could definitely be impacted, so if you're hitting the roads, make sure you've got plenty of gas, an emergency kit, and a good dose of patience.

Temperatures through the month are expected to remain below average for much of the time, with daytime highs mostly hovering between the mid-20s and low 30s. Overnight lows? Well, let's just say they'll be dipping well into the teens, and even single digits on the coldest nights. Every now and then, Buffalo gets a brief mid-January thaw, a teasing glimpse of slightly milder air, but don't get too comfortable. These are usually fleeting, quickly followed by a return to our regularly scheduled programming of arctic air masses and snow. So, keep those shovels handy, your car warmed up, and your favorite warm beverage on standby. January 2026 in Buffalo looks set to be a true winter wonderland – or perhaps, depending on your enthusiasm for snow, a winter endurance test!