FZUS61 KBUF 172003 GLFLO Open Lake Forecast for Lake Ontario National Weather Service Buffalo NY 403 PM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026 For waters beyond five nautical miles of shore on Lake Ontario Waves are the significant wave height - the average of the highest 1/3 of the wave spectrum. Occasional wave height is the average of the highest 1/10 of the wave spectrum. .SYNOPSIS...A 30.4 inch surface high centered over the lower Ohio Valley will ridge northward, across the Lake tonight. The high will then shift east of the lake Wednesday and reach the East Coast by Wednesday evening. A 30.2 inch high will move into the Great Lakes region Thursday. A 29.8 inch low will move from James Bay to the Canadian Maritimes Friday. This may result in a cold front crossing the Lake through Friday night while also sending a 29.8 inch sfc low across the lake through. A 30.2 inch sfc high over the Southeast US will briefly ridge north to the lake Saturday into early Sunday before another cold front crosses the region. LOZ062-180300- Lake Ontario open waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin Beach- 403 PM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026 .TONIGHT...West winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 10 to 15 knots. A chance of snow showers this evening. Waves 7 to 10 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet. Waves occasionally around 13 feet. .WEDNESDAY...Southwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south. Waves 1 to 3 feet. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...South winds 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Waves 1 to 3 feet. .THURSDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming southwest. A chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Waves 1 to 3 feet. .THURSDAY NIGHT...West winds 5 to 10 knots becoming northwest. A chance of rain showers. Waves 1 to 2 feet. .FRIDAY...West winds 5 to 10 knots becoming northeast and increasing to 15 to 20 knots. A chance of rain showers during the day, then a chance of rain and snow showers Friday night. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 3 to 6 feet. .SATURDAY...Northeast winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west to 30 knots. A chance of rain and snow showers during the day, then a chance of rain showers Saturday night. Waves 5 to 8 feet. Waves occasionally around 10 feet. .SUNDAY...Northwest winds to 30 knots. A chance of rain and snow showers. Waves 6 to 9 feet subsiding to 5 to 8 feet. Waves occasionally around 11 feet. $$ LOZ063>065-180300- Lake Ontario open waters from Hamlin Beach to the Saint Lawrence River- 403 PM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING... .TONIGHT...West winds to 30 knots becoming northwest and diminishing to 10 to 15 knots. Lake effect snow showers through the early overnight, then a chance of snow showers late. Waves 10 to 14 feet subsiding to 3 to 6 feet. Waves occasionally around 18 feet. .WEDNESDAY...West winds 5 to 10 knots becoming southeast. Snow showers likely early, then a chance of snow showers late in the morning. Waves 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 2 feet or less. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south 15 to 20 knots. Waves 2 feet or less building to 2 to 4 feet. .THURSDAY...South winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to 15 knots. Waves 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. .THURSDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds around 10 knots becoming west. A chance of rain showers. Waves 2 feet or less. .FRIDAY...West winds 5 to 10 knots becoming north and increasing to 15 to 25 knots. A chance of rain and snow showers Friday night. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 3 to 6 feet. .SATURDAY...Northeast winds to 30 knots becoming west. A chance of rain and snow showers. Waves 4 to 7 feet building to 7 to 10 feet. Waves occasionally around 13 feet. .SUNDAY...Northwest winds to 30 knots. A chance of rain and snow showers. Waves 7 to 11 feet. Waves occasionally around 14 feet. $$ LOZ061-180300- MAFOR 1721/ ONTARIO WEST 1/2...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT...11640 11630 11720 11610 11500 11400 12410. A chance of snow showers this evening. Waves 7 to 11 feet subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, and occasionally around 14 feet tonight. Waves 1 to 3 feet Wednesday. ONTARIO EAST 1/2...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT...11647 12737 11720 11700 13400. Waves 10 to 15 feet subsiding to 3 to 6 feet, and occasionally around 19 feet tonight. Waves 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 2 feet or less Wednesday. $$