UPDATE: Winds May Be Greater Than Expected Today/Tonight

The Niagara Frontier is being buffeted by winds this afternoon reaching 68 miles per hour.  Port Colborne, Ontario had a gust at 2:12pm of 79 mph according to the National Weather Service Office At Buffalo.  Meteorologists are speculating that the winds could get worse as the day goes on.

There have been Travel Advisories issued for Buffalo and Niagara Falls this afternoon.

The lower Niagara River in the vicinity of Whirlpool Street according to NY Alert has had a discharge into the Niagara River, reporting the system is at capacity.

Reports of numerous trees and power lines down this afternoon.

In a posting from Patrick Hammer, a meteorologist from WGRZ...

 Meteorologists at the National Weather Service have spotted something very interesting however quite dangerous on satellite imagery today which suggests very strong winds are growing more likely this afternoon.

It’s a phenomenon called a sting jet. It’s an area of enhanced winds within a developing powerful storm. There is a cloud structure that forms due to these high winds and takes the appearance of a scorpion’s tale thus getting the name sting jet.

The feature is expected to move from Lake Erie over Western New York this afternoon between 3 and 6pm.