NOAA The Rochester airport averages 102.0 inches of snow a season (1991–2020 normals)NOAA January is the snowiest month at 27.4 inches; February averages 23.1 and December 22.3NOAA About 29.2 days a year bring 1 inch of snow or more at the Rochester airportNOAA Normal January low: 19.0°FNWS Buffalo Average date of Rochester’s first measurable snow: November 8; first 1-inch snow: November 20NWS Lake-effect bands can drop 2 to 3 inches of snow an hour or more, with sun a mile or two awayCity of Rochester Property owners and ground-floor occupants are responsible for their sidewalksCity of Rochester The city’s supplemental sidewalk plowing starts at 4 inches of new snow; owners stay responsibleCity of Rochester Snow Emergency: no parking on Snow Emergency RoutesGates Sidewalks cleared within 12 hours after snow ends; if it stops after 6 p.m., by 9 p.m. the next dayIrondequoit No parking on town roads or the grass right-of-way Nov. 1 to Apr. 15, midnight to 9 a.m.Village of Pittsford Sidewalk snow violations: fine up to $250, up to 15 days, or bothProMatcher Rochester driveway and sidewalk visit: about $40.50 on average ($36–$45)HomeGuide Rochester full-season snow removal: $200–$600511NY Live New York road conditions, closures and camerasSIMA Snow and ice customers are retained 93% of the time year over yearNOAA The Rochester airport averages 102.0 inches of snow a season (1991–2020 normals)NOAA January is the snowiest month at 27.4 inches; February averages 23.1 and December 22.3NOAA About 29.2 days a year bring 1 inch of snow or more at the Rochester airportNOAA Normal January low: 19.0°FNWS Buffalo Average date of Rochester’s first measurable snow: November 8; first 1-inch snow: November 20NWS Lake-effect bands can drop 2 to 3 inches of snow an hour or more, with sun a mile or two awayCity of Rochester Property owners and ground-floor occupants are responsible for their sidewalksCity of Rochester The city’s supplemental sidewalk plowing starts at 4 inches of new snow; owners stay responsibleCity of Rochester Snow Emergency: no parking on Snow Emergency RoutesGates Sidewalks cleared within 12 hours after snow ends; if it stops after 6 p.m., by 9 p.m. the next dayIrondequoit No parking on town roads or the grass right-of-way Nov. 1 to Apr. 15, midnight to 9 a.m.Village of Pittsford Sidewalk snow violations: fine up to $250, up to 15 days, or bothProMatcher Rochester driveway and sidewalk visit: about $40.50 on average ($36–$45)HomeGuide Rochester full-season snow removal: $200–$600511NY Live New York road conditions, closures and camerasSIMA Snow and ice customers are retained 93% of the time year over year

Plan for Bursts, Not Totals

The Rochester airport averages 102.0 inches of snow a season and about 29.2 days with an inch or more (NOAA, 1991–2020). Lake-effect bands can drop 2 to 3 inches an hour or more (NWS), so a few hours can change everything.

Book Call-Outs

Book a contractor with per-storm or seasonal call-outs, not “when we get to it.” A band can bury your street while the next one is dry.

Move the Car on Schedule

Alternate-side parking and overnight bans let plows clear curb to curb. Clear the driveway apron after they pass.

Service the Blower Early

The average first measurable snow lands around November 8 (NWS Buffalo). Have the blower serviced in October.

Ice Between Storms

About 64 freeze-thaw days and 3.8 freezing-rain days a winter (our counts of public records). Keep ice melt and traction on hand.

Rake the Roof

After big storms, rake the roof edge from the ground before ice dams form. Stay clear of power lines and never work from a ladder.

Push, Don’t Lift

A wide pusher or a two-stage blower moves deep snow without lifting it. Take breaks and stay warm.

Sources: NOAA NCEI, National Weather Service, National Weather Service Buffalo, NOAA NCEI GHCN-Daily, IEM ASOS weather-station archive, City of Rochester.

Know Your Deadline

Where	Sidewalk rule	Source
City of Rochester	Owner and ground-floor occupant responsible; city plowing at 4 inches or more is supplemental	City of Rochester
Town of Gates	Within 12 hours after snow ends; if it stopped after 6 p.m., by 9 p.m. the next day	Town of Gates
Town of Irondequoit	The town plows most sidewalks along plowed streets	Town of Irondequoit
Village of Pittsford	Violations: fine up to $250, up to 15 days, or both	Village of Pittsford

Greece, Brighton, Henrietta, Webster and Town of Pittsford rules are not covered here yet. Check with your town.

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Rochester Winter Tips