Weather for Albion New York: What Most People Get Wrong

Living in Albion means you’ve developed a certain kind of relationship with the sky. It isn't just about whether you need a coat; it’s about knowing if that specific shade of gray over Lake Ontario means a light dusting or a three-day shoveling marathon. Honestly, the weather for Albion New York is a masterclass in atmospheric mood swings.

Right now, as we sit in the middle of January 2026, the village is tucked under a stubborn layer of clouds. It’s 29°F outside, but with that south wind kicking at 8 mph, it feels more like 21°F. If you’re heading out to grab coffee, you’ve probably already noticed the chill. It’s that damp, biting cold that Western New York is famous for—the kind that finds the gap between your scarf and your jacket no matter how tight you wrap it.

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The Lake Ontario Factor

You can't talk about Albion's climate without mentioning the "lake effect machine." Basically, we live in a geographic sweet spot—or a bullseye, depending on how much you hate your snowblower. Because Albion sits just a few miles south of Lake Ontario, the water temperature dictates our lives from November through March.

When cold Canadian air screams across that relatively warm water, it picks up moisture like a sponge. By the time it hits the shoreline and moves inland toward the village, it dumps. We just saw this play out on January 15, when a massive winter storm shut down local schools and parts of the I-90. While some spots like Colden got buried under 13 inches, Albion saw a more manageable but still messy mix.

Saturday, January 17, is looking like a classic example of this. We’re expecting a high of 36°F with light snow during the day, transitioning into snow showers at night. The wind is shifting to the southwest at about 13 mph. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the roads slick and the sidewalks "kinda" treacherous if you aren't careful.

What the Averages Don't Tell You

If you look at the historical data, January in Albion usually averages a high of 32°F and a low of 17°F. But honestly, "average" is a bit of a lie around here. In reality, you get weeks where it stays a balmy 40°F and the ground is just mud, followed by a "polar vortex" that plunges us into the negatives.

• Humidity: We hover around 72% to 77% right now. That high humidity makes the cold feel "heavy."
• Wind: January is officially our windiest month, averaging 15-17 mph.
• Snowfall: We typically see about 66 inches of the white stuff per year.

The real kicker is the "Snowvember" phenomenon. We’ve had years where we get half our annual snowfall in a single week. Local emergency management teams, like the ones in Orleans County, stay on high alert because a lake effect band can be so localized that it’s sunny in Medina while Albion is getting two inches of snow an hour.

The 2026 Outlook

Looking at the upcoming week, winter isn't letting go. Sunday, January 18, brings a drop in temperature with a high of only 24°F and continuing snow showers. By Monday, we’re looking at a Winter Storm Watch. The National Weather Service is tracking a system that could bring significant accumulation through Wednesday.

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Tuesday, January 20, is going to be the "real deal" cold. We’re talking a high of 16°F and a low of 9°F. If you haven't checked your antifreeze or salt supply, now is the time.

Survival Tips for Albion Locals

1. Layers are everything. Don't just wear one heavy coat. You need a base layer to wick moisture because sweating in 20-degree weather is a recipe for a bad time.
2. The "South Wind" Deception. When the wind comes from the south, it feels warmer, but it often precedes a pressure drop. That’s usually when the lake effect starts to organize.
3. Snowmobile Prep. Local clubs are already out clearing trails from the last wind event. If the ground freezes up during Tuesday’s cold snap, the weekend of the 24th could be prime for riding.

Weather in Albion is a lifestyle choice. You learn to appreciate the "partly sunny" days (like we might see briefly on Thursday) because they are the rare breaks in an otherwise gray winter.

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Next Steps for Residents:
Prepare for the Winter Storm Watch starting Sunday night. Ensure your vehicle has an emergency kit with blankets and a shovel, as lake effect bands can create whiteout conditions with almost zero warning on Route 31 and Route 98. Check your furnace filters now before the sub-zero temperatures hit on Tuesday night.