Frigid Temperatures Return, Bringing A Cold Blue Alert Back In Buffalo

Usually, when spring rolls around in Western New York, folks around the Buffalo area are flocking to places like the Broadway Market to get ready for Easter Celebrations, along with folks doing their spring cleaning. However, from time to time in Buffalo, we need to grab our parkas and snowsuits because the winter-like temperatures aren't ready to let go of us just yet. According to some weather forecast data released by the National Weather Service, a cold front is about to blow back into the region, and it's going to bring a big temperature drop into the region.

That pending temperature drop, which could see temps fall more than 20° below normal, is going to cause trouble for the people in Buffalo who often suffer most when it's cold outside.

Buffalo Issues Rare April Cold Blue As Cold Front Brings Below Freezing Temperatures Back To Town

Starting in the evening hours on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, through at least Wednesday, April 8, 2026, tempers are expected to drop by more than 20° below normal for this time of year, with below-freezing air hitting the area and bringing the real possibility for snow in Buffalo. Those temps and snow will make things pretty difficult for people who are ready to be done with winter, which means things will be even worse for the homeless and unhoused in Western New York.

City of Buffalo and non-profit officials have issued a Code Blue. According to the WNY Coalition for the Homeless, a Code Blue is Erie County and the City of Buffalo's cold weather emergency safety plan that provides outreach, transportation, shelter, and a warm meal to individuals in our community who are unhoused on evenings when temperatures or wind chill fall to 32 degrees or below.

With temperatures expected to be in the teens and even colder windchills, officials are once again opening daytime emergency warming centers and overnight shelters, and going around the city in outreach teams to strongly encourage anyone who is unhoused to come in from the cold. The Cold Blue shelter, located at 100 E Tupper Street in downtown Buffalo, will be open from 7 pm. until 7 am, plus breakfast served from 7 am - 8 am, and the daytime warming and resource Center at 100 E Tupper Street will be open from 9 am - 5 pm with dinner being served at 5 pm.

There are other shelters open around the city, and you can find a full list of them and their locations here on the 211WNY website.

You can find more information about the Code Blue system and donate to help those in need here on the WNY Coalition for the Homeless website.