The answer may surprise you. 

This stifling summer heat has been crushing high-temperature records all over the country and in New York State. Could the summer of 2022 finally break a longstanding record in Buffalo? 

What is the highest temperature ever recorded in Buffalo?

As you may know, the highest official temperature ever recorded in Buffalo was 99 °F on August 27, 1948. So in order to break this historic record, we would literally have to hit triple digits and have the temperature at Buffalo International Airport be measured at a whopping 100 degrees. A tough feat, considering it has never been 100 degrees in Buffalo, New York. Ever. 

Buffalo is one of only a handful of cities in the United States to have never officially hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

We actually have Lake Erie to thank for keeping it that way over the years. According to Dave Sage, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, “We have a prevailing southwest wind here, and because the lake has never been hotter than 80 degrees, the air over the lake is cooled by lake waters. Then the southwest winds bring that lake-cooled air farther inland."

So is this year going to be the year? Based on the steamy summer weather we’ve had so far in 2022, it’s a definite possibility. But if Lake Erie keeps doing its job by keeping us cool, we might have to wait at least another year.

10 Private Pools You Can Rent In Western New York

Here are some local pools you can rent by the hour to keep your cool this summer.

Gallery Credit: Swimply/Canva

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