Wow!

I've lived in BUF for 17 years, and I've never seen weather like this.

Current Conditions:

Quote: Wind from the W (260 degrees) at 47 MPH, gusts 60+ (direction variable, it's shifting to the active rwy direction of 230) Visibility 0 miles Sky conditions obscured Weather Heavy Snow Freezing fog Blowing snow Temperature 14 F (-10 C) Windchill -2 F (-19 C) Dew Point 12 F (-11 C) Relative Humidity 92% Pressure (altimeter) 29.8 in. Hg (1009 hPa)

Right now a ground stop in in effect, and everything coming inbound is flying up, circling around, and diverting to ROC, SYR, CLE, PIT, and BWI. ATC reports RVR's around 500-600.

Ugh.

ROC isn't much better,I can barely see across the street. FDX 967heavy has an engine fire indicator on #1 ,too! Inbound to r/w 22.

[Edited 2007-02-04 00:54:52]

Quoting Skoker (Thread starter): BUF Is A Mess Right Now!

You betcha...

Both runways are closed at the moment...

KBUF BUFFALO NIAGARA INTL

A0174/07 (02/020) - RUNWAY CLOSED 05/23 03 FEB 22:35 UNTIL UFN

A0164/07 (02/009) - RUNWAY CLOSED 14/32 WIE UNTIL UFN

Current viz is zero, and the snow's coming down at a rate of 2 inches per hour. If it's any consolation, it's supposed to let up in a few of hours, but with 8 inches already on the airport, I'm sure they'll see over a foot...



KBUF 032359Z 24032G40KT 0SM R23/1800VP6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN SCT004 BKN015 OVC040 M09/M12 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 24040/2358 P0000
KBUF 032354Z 24021G35KT 1SM R23/3500VP6000FT -SN BLSN BKN004 BKN019 OVC030 M09/M11 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 25035/2349 SLP105 SNINCR 2/8 4/008 P0002 60004 T10941111 11072 21100 53019
KBUF 032344Z 25016G26KT 1SM R23/3500VP6000FT -SN BLSN BKN004 BKN019 OVC030 M09/M11 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/2257 P0002
KBUF 032338Z 26015KT 1/2SM R23/1800V6000FT SN FZFG BLSN VV002 M10/M11 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/2257 P0001
KBUF 032332Z 26013G20KT 1/4SM R23/1200V3000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV001 M10/M11 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/2257 P0001
KBUF 032309Z 27021G26KT 1/16SM R23/1600V4000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV001 M10/M11 A2979 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/2257 P0000
KBUF 032254Z 28021G25KT 1/4SM R23/3000VP6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV004 M09/M11 A2978 RMK AO2 PK WND 24040/2216 SLP099 SNINCR 2/6 P0002 T10941106
KBUF 032242Z 27019G27KT 1/4SM R23/2000VP6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV004 M09/M09 A2977 RMK AO2 PK WND 24040/2216 P0002
KBUF 032237Z 27019G27KT 1/8SM R23/1800V2800FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV002 M09/M09 A2977 RMK AO2 PK WND 24040/2216 P0001
KBUF 032210Z 24029G38KT 0SM R23/0600V2200FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV001 M08/M09 A2975 RMK AO2 PK WND 23038/2210 P0001
KBUF 032154Z 23019G38KT 1/16SM R23/1000VP6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV005 M08/M09 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 22038/2145 SNB2059 SLP086 P0000 T10831094
KBUF 032143Z 23022G27KT 1/4SM R23/1400V6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN BKN005 BKN015 OVC030 M08/M11 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 23033/2129 TWR VIS 1/2 SNB2059 P0000
KBUF 032132Z 23025G33KT 1/4SM R23/5500VP6000FT +SN BLSN FEW015 BKN023 OVC038 M07/M13 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 23033/2129 TWR VIS 2 SNB2059 P0000
KBUF 032120Z 23021G27KT 3SM R23/4000VP6000FT -SN BLSN FEW015 BKN025 OVC040 M07/M13 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 23028/2057 TWR VIS 8 SNB2059 P0000

Here's a rundown on the list of Cancellations I've got as of 7:15 EST:

Inbound:

US918
US1722
UA7243
UA7216
USX3711


Outbound:

US1471
USX3045
US1895
UA7473
UA7157
USX3711


I'm guessing the real list is longer than that, and the diversion list even longer.

Quoting Skoker (Reply 3): and the diversion list even longer.

Here's a couple...

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWA2490
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWA1594

DAL has one enroute from ATL, and TRS has once just off MCO...

I saw both of those WN flights. I'd be mad if I was on the one that came up and then turned back to BWI, but BWI is certainly the smart choice because it's easier to re-accommodate the PAX off of the flight.

Will be interesting to see if the Delta and AirTran flights make it in or are forced an alternate.

Quoting Skoker (Reply 5): I'd be mad if I was on the one that came up and then turned back to BWI

Runway 14/32 isn't usuable (even if it were plowed) since it's out of crosswind limits, and runway 23 is the only one that can be used (runway 5 is out of tailwind limits.) If runway 23 is closed (presumably for plowing) and the visibility is below the minimums needed for the 23 approach due to the heavy snow, why on earth would you be "mad" about heading back to BWI? Sure, I could see being "disappointed" at being late into BUF, but mad? It ain't no sunny 70-degree day out there...

...and I was thinking of doing a birthday MR to there around this weekend too! Looks like I should be thankful that I didn't go ahead with booking it!

[Edited 2007-02-04 02:29:25]

Quoting OPNLguy (Reply 6): Runway 14/32 isn't usuable (even if it were plowed) since it's out of crosswind limits, and runway 23 is the only one that can be used (runway 5 is out of tailwind limits.) If runway 23 is closed (presumably for plowing) and the visibility is below the minimums needed for the 23 approach due to the heavy snow, why on earth would you be "mad" about heading back to BWI? Sure, I could see being "disappointed" at being late into BUF, but mad? It ain't no sunny 70-degree day out there...

I'm saying if I was Joe Q. Passenger who didn't know anything about wind limits and such... I'd be a little upset that we didn't go straight to BWI.

But then again, I'm familiar with limits and I know the intricacies of Lake Effect enough to know that there was no way BUF is/was landable.

BWI is not really close enough to BUF to be considered 'close'.

Quoting Skoker (Reply 8): I'd be a little upset that we didn't go straight to BWI.

In a weather situation like this, there are two things that potentially keep you from landing, namely, the visibility, and the condition of the runway. If the runway is going to be closed for plowing until 8:30, and you're scheduled to arrive at 8:30, you should be able to get right in, assuming the runway opens as advertised and the visibility is above minimums. Say you get there at 8:30 and plows are late getting off the runway and it's not open until 8:45. Should you immediately divert to BWI? If the runway opens at 8:45 but the visibility then goes below minimums, do you then immediately divert to BWI or do you expect to be able to hold for a little while to see if the visibility pops back up above minimums?

Two things I'm trying to get across here are that (1) weather is not an absolute and it can easily vary minute-by-minute, and that you need to plan(fuel-wise) for that, and that (2) things happen by design and intent. I can guarantee you that if an immediate diversion had occurred, there'd be lots of folks just as unhappy that they were unable to hold even a little while to await possible improvement. Sometimes the weather does improve (and you get in), and sometimes it doesn't (and you end up diverting after all). That said, one can't really retroactively conclude you shouldn't have held and diverted immediately--the weather could have just easily improved and you'd have been able to get in.

JetBlue has 5 jets enroute to BUF lets see what happens with them!

Quoting ADiZzy (Reply 10): JetBlue has 5 jets enroute to BUF lets see what happens with them!

They probably didn't launch them until there was some improvement, which there has indeed been.. Vis up to 1-3/4 miles and you only need 1/2 mile to get in...

KBUF 040254Z 27016G24KT 1 3/4SM BLSN FEW020 SCT040 BKN055 M12/M17 A2990 RMK AO2 PK WND 25030/0156 SNE53 SLP140 VIS 1 1/2V3 P0000 60000 T11221172 51033

KBUF 040136Z 040224 26024G34KT 3SM -SHSN BLSN SCT008 OVC025
TEMPO 0204 1/2SM SHSN BLSN BKN008
FM0400 26020G32KT 6SM -SHSN BLSN BKN030
FM0600 27014G25KT P6SM SCT040

BUF was a major mess back in October too, I know all about that, damn lake effect.

I just flew into BUF from BOS on flt 1217 the 555p arrival, actually arrived at 1025p. We where the first jetblue aircraft to land in BUF. Flt 1219, also from BOS, was right behind us, and right behind them was a JFK flight. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a gate as Gate 7 and 8 where both occupied by 320s waiting to be deiced. A great majority of the customers took the delays in stride as they new the weather in BUF was bad as most where on the phone with family members in BUF. The approach was a bit hairy with the strong gusty winds, blowing snow, and very very slick runways. The Conga Line did their best to get the ramp, taxiways and runways clear but I fear they will be at it all night.

Its times like these I wish I still worked line service at Prior...

Snow storms at home, tornadoes at school.

We had a mess here in GRR too due to heavy lake effect snow and high winds.

At times visibilities were reported zero-1/16 of a mile with heavy snow & blowing snow. Airport crews struggled all day Saturday to keep 26L/8R open- one of three runways. Only a couple of flights in or out from about noon until early evening- most carriers cancelled.

At home there were times I couldn't even see my mailbox on the street next to my driveway..... pretty nasty.

Here in KROC we got a bunch of flights from the BUF. Personally we had a MQ CR7 from ORD come in and then sit in ROC b/c the crap that was in BUF moved into ROC for awhile. Everyone seemed to have flights coming from BUF though. Oh well the price one pays for living by the lakes!

This morning was relatively calm, but right now (exactly noon EST) the snow and wind are really picking up again.

There's only one cancelled pair right now, a Chautauqua E145 BUF-LGA-RDU, because the inbound cancelled at LGA after flying the PHL-LGA leg.

Quoting Jumpseatflyer (Reply 14): Its times like these I wish I still worked line service at Prior...

How long ago did you work for Prior?? Ever work over at UPS?

Quoting OPNLguy (Reply 2): KBUF 032359Z 24032G40KT 0SM R23/1800VP6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN SCT004 BKN015 OVC040 M09/M12 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 24040/2358 P0000 KBUF 032354Z 24021G35KT 1SM R23/3500VP6000FT -SN BLSN BKN004 BKN019 OVC030 M09/M11 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 25035/2349 SLP105 SNINCR 2/8 4/008 P0002 60004 T10941111 11072 21100 53019 KBUF 032344Z 25016G26KT 1SM R23/3500VP6000FT -SN BLSN BKN004 BKN019 OVC030 M09/M11 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/2257 P0002 KBUF 032338Z 26015KT 1/2SM R23/1800V6000FT SN FZFG BLSN VV002 M10/M11 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/2257 P0001 KBUF 032332Z 26013G20KT 1/4SM R23/1200V3000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV001 M10/M11 A2980 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/2257 P0001 KBUF 032309Z 27021G26KT 1/16SM R23/1600V4000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV001 M10/M11 A2979 RMK AO2 PK WND 28028/2257 P0000 KBUF 032254Z 28021G25KT 1/4SM R23/3000VP6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV004 M09/M11 A2978 RMK AO2 PK WND 24040/2216 SLP099 SNINCR 2/6 P0002 T10941106 KBUF 032242Z 27019G27KT 1/4SM R23/2000VP6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV004 M09/M09 A2977 RMK AO2 PK WND 24040/2216 P0002 KBUF 032237Z 27019G27KT 1/8SM R23/1800V2800FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV002 M09/M09 A2977 RMK AO2 PK WND 24040/2216 P0001 KBUF 032210Z 24029G38KT 0SM R23/0600V2200FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV001 M08/M09 A2975 RMK AO2 PK WND 23038/2210 P0001 KBUF 032154Z 23019G38KT 1/16SM R23/1000VP6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN VV005 M08/M09 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 22038/2145 SNB2059 SLP086 P0000 T10831094 KBUF 032143Z 23022G27KT 1/4SM R23/1400V6000FT +SN FZFG BLSN BKN005 BKN015 OVC030 M08/M11 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 23033/2129 TWR VIS 1/2 SNB2059 P0000 KBUF 032132Z 23025G33KT 1/4SM R23/5500VP6000FT +SN BLSN FEW015 BKN023 OVC038 M07/M13 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 23033/2129 TWR VIS 2 SNB2059 P0000 KBUF 032120Z 23021G27KT 3SM R23/4000VP6000FT -SN BLSN FEW015 BKN025 OVC040 M07/M13 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 23028/2057 TWR VIS 8 SNB2059 P0000

how can u read all that and know what it means? can u teach me to do that?

You can see why it is a mess when you look at this radar image of the snow...



It's like a big plow is picking up all of the snow and just dumping it over BUF.

I'm happy, this just popped up on my school's website:



...and they said higher education was serious. Pffff.

I was there and out in that mess!!! here are some pics..Remember this was before 5pm...LK

20 miles southeast of BUF had 42" Sat/Sun.

Quoting LemonKitty (Reply 22): I was there and out in that mess!!! here are some pics..Remember this was before 5pm...LK

Great pics, thanks. Love seeing that blowing snow up at my hometown airport. Good to hear that today it's lightening up in the northtowns and its a nice balmy 12 degrees w/ 22 mph winds!

Quoting Aogdesk (Reply 23): 20 miles southeast of BUF had 42" Sat/Sun.

That's my hometown! My best friend's father was on Good Morning America yesterday talking about the snow.)

Quoting LemonKitty (Reply 22): I was there and out in that mess!!! here are some pics..Remember this was before 5pm...LK

Those must have been at Gate 16? I luv the snowchains on the tug, never seen those before.

The next couple days ought to be interesting in BUF & ROC with a storm coimg our way!

Yup, starting tomorrow morning and continuing on through wedensday. Then it will turn into a Nor'ester as it travels up the coast.

Yea... ALB is expected to get from 7 to 12 inches as I heard, should be an interesting couple of days.

Quoting Skoker (Reply 25): Those must have been at Gate 16? I luv the snowchains on the tug, never seen those before.

Yes, I was at gate 16...

LK