Code Blue Issued for Extreme Weather in Buffalo

Shelter and transportation assistance available as temperatures plummet

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:15am

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Code Blue Buffalo has issued an Extreme Weather Code Blue for Saturday night due to forecasted winter weather in Buffalo and across Erie County. The Code Blue shelter at the Buffalo City Mission will be open from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday, with breakfast served in the morning. Bus tickets will be available at the NFTA Metropolitan Transportation Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to transport those seeking shelter to the Code Blue location.

Why it matters

Extreme cold weather can pose serious health risks, especially for those without stable housing. The Code Blue alert system helps ensure vulnerable populations have access to warm shelter and other resources during dangerous winter conditions.

The details

A Code Blue is activated when temperatures drop below freezing or 15 degrees Fahrenheit, triggering one of two alerts: Code Blue 32 or Code Blue 15. Extreme weather conditions near zero degrees trigger an additional response, as is the case for this weekend's forecast.

  • The Code Blue shelter at the Buffalo City Mission will be open from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday.
  • Breakfast will be served at the shelter from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sunday.

The players

Code Blue Buffalo

The organization that issues Code Blue alerts for extreme winter weather in the Buffalo area.

Buffalo City Mission

The organization operating the Code Blue shelter location that will be open this weekend.

NFTA

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which will provide bus tickets for transportation to the Code Blue shelter.

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What’s next

Those seeking shelter can obtain bus tickets at the NFTA Metropolitan Transportation Center, located at 181 Ellicott St., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for transportation to the Code Blue shelter.

The takeaway

The Code Blue alert system is a critical resource for ensuring the safety and well-being of Buffalo's most vulnerable residents during periods of extreme winter weather, providing access to warm shelter and other essential services.