"Bring On the Snow, Buffalo Natives Say"

Weather channels have consistently forecast snow, hail, heavy winds, freezing rain - anything that translates into frigid, miserable, and tough driving conditions.

This is certainly nothing new for Buffalo, though there have been times when even this snowy city has been taken aback by harsh winter weather.

In January, temperatures were about seven degrees lower than the month's average 24.5 degrees, and ranked the sixth coldest in 61 years, according to the National Weather Service.

But Buffalo has seen worse.

Winter of 1977's effect on this nook of Western New York garnered the nation's attention and sympathy - and with good reason.

From Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 1977, a blizzard held the city in its clutches for five days. Harsh winter conditions had already threatened to cover the region with 60.7 inches in December and through Jan. 27.

By the morning of Jan. 28 freezing winds reaching up to 51 miles per hour blew the snow into enormous mounds, halting everyday activities, according to the National Weather Service.

The blizzard left 29 fatalities and $20 million of damage in its wake, and a call to the National Guard to assist in snow removal.

"We woke up in the morning and could barely see the rooftops of our cars, the snow was so high," said Frank Bonfilio who was a resident of Kenmore, a suburb North of Buffalo, during the blizzard. "Front doors were completely blocked and the cars were impossible to move. Sometimes, if someone wanted to leave the house, they could just exit through the window."

For many who were not around to witness the infamous blizzard of '77, the snowfall totals of some other winters were more memorable.

"The snow was higher than me," said Julia Purpera, a senior English major. "There were parked and abandoned cars on the Thruway. It was almost a nuclear effect - so desolate it was eerie."

Frigid, snowy winters are expected for the Buffalo region, but some might wonder why people would make homes and careers in a place with such trying conditions.

"It sounds hokey, but among the things I like best about Buffalo is the weather, and that includes lake effect snow," said Don Paul, meteorologist for the local CBS affiliate WIVB.

Aaron Mentkowski, anchor for the ABC affiliate WKBW News "This Morning" and meteorologist for AccuWeather, grew up in Tonawanda, where he said he developed his interest in weather. Mentkowski began his college career geared toward meteorology at UB before moving on to SUNY Oswego.

Mentkowski said he remembers the Thanksgiving snowstorm of 2000 - recognized as the greatest 24-hour snowfall for the month of November in Buffalo.

"There were stories about people staying in their cars for 12 to 14 hours," said Mentkowski.

Mentkowski said he was forced to walk in the snow for three miles - a two-hour trek in those conditions - to get to work for 3 a.m.

"By walking in the thick snow for so long, I had to take off my jacket. Most people were outside drinking because there was nothing else to do," said Mentkowski, noting that people seemed in good spirits as the snow continued to fall.

The storm began with two feet of snow, which mostly fell within a seven-hour period, lighting began accompanying the snowfall as 2 p.m. rolled around. The National Weather Service reported that people tried to leave work early but were deterred by the snowfall, which continued at two to four inches per hour.

Mentkowski's colleague, Mike Cejka, a WKBW employee, said he remembers a time when he had to work during unsavory weather conditions.

"...Blizzard of 1985," he said in recollection, "..live shot when the wind chill was minus 50 degrees," he said as he told of holding a microphone without gloves.

Over 68 inches of snow fell that December in 1985, according to a USA Today article.

Many Buffalo residents said they are not hindered by heavy snowfall or assailing winds, and find ways to use the weather conditions to their advantage.

"When the snow started to fall, I put on snow pants and ran up to the parking lots on South Campus," said Scott Peckler, a senior communication design major, said of the heavy snowfall we experienced this winter. "I shoveled out cars and made pathways. I paired up with three people to make a passage to the main road. We walked away with about $100 dollars each and then went and got coffee. It's a true story."

Struggling through long snowy nights only to wake up to blistering days might be something of a chore for many, so WIVB and the Weather Watch 4 sells t-shirts recently teamed up to launch a contest that might brighten a dreary winter day for five lucky people. Five winners will be chosen each day to receive long-sleeved t-shirts. Each shirt has a message for those inclined to complain about the weather:

"It's Buffalo. It Snows. Deal with it!"