Frost advisory from the National Weather Service in Buffalo
Much of Western and Central New York is waking up to an unexpected springtime chill, as the National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a frost advisory effective from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tuesday. This advisory spans a wide area, including the Southern Tier and parts of the Buffalo and Syracuse regions, affecting counties like Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Steuben, Onondaga, and Broome, among others.
While communities along Lake Ontario, including Rochester, are likely to experience only patchy frost, they’re not officially under the advisory. Still, the forecast hints at an unusual cold front arriving just days before Memorial Day Weekend—a timing not unprecedented, says Meteorologist Jon Hitchcock. In fact, the last frost of the season typically occurs around mid-May across Western New York.
Temperature drop: how cold will it get?
In areas closer to Lake Ontario, like Rochester, overnight lows are forecasted to dip into the low to mid-40s Fahrenheit (around 5 to 7°C). However, in locations south of the New York State Thruway, temperatures could fall to the mid-30s°F (approximately 1 to 2°C).
For context, the typical low for Rochester in mid-May is 49°F (around 9°C), with average highs near 70°F (about 21°C). This week’s forecast looks chillier than average, with daily highs struggling to break 60°F (about 15°C) through Friday, and overnight lows stuck in the 40s°F (roughly 4 to 7°C).
How to protect your garden during the frost
Frost-sensitive plants—like tomatoes, peppers, and annual flowers—are particularly vulnerable to damage under these conditions. Forecasters recommend covering these delicate plants with sheets or garden fabric or moving potted plants indoors overnight.
According to Hitchcock, heartier perennials should withstand the brief cold snap without issue. But with a surprise spring frost settling across much of Upstate New York, a little overnight precaution may make the difference between a thriving garden and wilted blooms.
