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

Check Before You Go

Lake-effect bands can turn one stretch of road white while the next is sunny. These are the official places to check, and we link every one.

What	Where to check	Source
Road conditions, closures and traffic cameras	511NY, New York's official traveler information	511NY
Forecasts, winter storm and lake-effect watches and warnings	National Weather Service Buffalo, weather.gov/buf, which covers Rochester	National Weather Service Buffalo
Lake-effect safety	National Weather Service lake-effect snow safety page	National Weather Service
City winter parking, Snow Emergencies and Parking Emergencies	City of Rochester winter snow parking rules	City of Rochester
Irondequoit overnight ban	No parking on town roads or the grass right-of-way, November 1 to April 15, midnight to 9 a.m.	Town of Irondequoit

Lake-Effect Snow

The National Weather Service says lake-effect bands can produce snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches an hour or more, with heavy snow in one spot and sunshine a mile or two away.

Check 511NY First

Closures and conditions change storm by storm. Check 511NY before you leave, and again before you head home.

Watch the Warnings

NWS Buffalo issues winter storm and lake-effect warnings for the Rochester area. Check weather.gov/buf before a long drive.

Expect Fast Changes

Driving into a band can drop visibility in seconds. Slow down early and leave room to stop.

Sources: National Weather Service, 511NY, National Weather Service Buffalo.

Winter Parking Rules

Parking rules are how plows get curb to curb. Break them and your car can be ticketed or towed.

Rule	What it means
Rochester alternate-side parking	Where posted, the side you park on switches by day of the week at 7 p.m. Check the signs on your street
Rochester Snow Emergency	No parking on Snow Emergency Routes
Rochester Parking Emergency	Parking is banned on the residential streets the city announces, to open clogged lanes
Irondequoit	No parking on town roads or the grass right-of-way, November 1 to April 15, midnight to 9 a.m.

Sources: City of Rochester, Town of Irondequoit. Greece and Brighton overnight rules are not covered yet; check with your town.

Storm-Day Checklist

Move the Car on Time

Follow the alternate-side schedule and any Snow Emergency so plows can clear the whole street.

Clear the Apron After the Plow

Once the street plow passes, clear the end of the driveway so you can get out in the morning.

Keep Ice Melt by the Door

Rochester ice comes back between storms. Treat steps and walks before the evening freeze.

Advisories change with each storm; always check 511NY and the National Weather Service before you go.

Get a free snow removal quote

Winter Travel Advisories