There will be a summer-like sizzle in the air across the Western New York region Monday, one that Buffalo Sabres fans are hoping will be matched on home ice when the Sabres face the Montreal Canadiens in a rare do-or-die playoff game 7 matchup.
"We really seemed to have flipped the switch over the weekend," National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Mitchell tells WBEN. "This will be our first day with some real summer heat, this young season here...it will really feel like a summer day out there."
Most of the region will experience highs Monday in the mid to upper 80's, with the warmest temps being inland from the lakes, which have water temps registering at 50 degrees. "Down there in Buffalo, you may see temps around 80, maybe the low 80's," Mitchell says.
For the fans attending the game tonight or the outdoor watch party at Canalside, conditions won't cool off too much. "You may get down to the low 70's....it will be quite a difference from all the other watch parties we've seen so far this year," Mitchell predicts.
A warm weekend will become a very warm start to the week with many areas warming into the 80s, if not hitting 90°F. Practice heat safety by staying hydrated, and avoid strenuous activity in the peak heating of the day if possible. pic.twitter.com/ip00Ze7TPF
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) May 18, 2026
Record Highs?
"I think we're going to get close to records," Mitchell tells us. "Today the record here at the airport is 89, tomorrow is 86. Today looks like the warmest day...I think our temps tomorrow will be just a little bit cooler, so our chances of hitting records will be close, but we probably will fall just shy of that over the next two days."
Unsettled and Cooler
A strong cold front will bring a round of showers and thunderstorms late Tuesday into Wednesday morning, a few of which could reach severe limits Tuesday evening into Tuesday night.
Slight Risk of Severe Storms Late Tue and Tue night. Isolated to scattered storms are possible Tue afternoon. The main window for severe thunderstorms is expected to be Tue night. Damaging winds and large hail are the main threats, however an isolated tornado is possible. pic.twitter.com/h81Ho0XOJJ
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) May 18, 2026
A mainly dry, but much cooler airmass will move back in across the area for the middle and later half of the week. The coolest day will be Thursday, with many locations not getting out of the 50's. Expect a slow rebound in temperatures into the holiday weekend with 60's and some low 70's, however an area of low pressure approaching from the southwest may bring unsettled weather back into our region for at least a portion of this weekend.
"We really seemed to have flipped the switch over the weekend."
"We really seemed to have flipped the switch over the weekend."
