Write optimization for block-based storage performing snapshot operations may be implemented. Write requests for a particular data volume may be received for which a snapshot operation is in progress. A determination may be made as to whether a data chunk of the data volume modified as part of the write request has not yet been stored to a remote snapshot data store as part of the snapshot operation. For a data chunk that is to be modified and that has not yet been stored, the data chunk may be stored in a local in-memory volume snapshot buffer. Once the data chunk is stored in the in-memory volume snapshot buffer, the write request may be performed and acknowledged as complete. The data chunk may be sent to the remote snapshot data store asynchronously with regard to the acknowledgment of the write request.