Light lake effect snow continues Thursday across parts of the Finger Lakes. High pressure will put an end to the lake effect, and keep a major snow storm out of our region this weekend.
This area of high pressure is located over Indiana Thursday morning and will drift northeast over the next few days. North winds ahead of the high continue to produce some light lake effect snow, especially across the eastern Finger Lakes.
Lake snows should gradually dissipate during the day on Thursday. New snow accumulations should not be more than an inch or two, expect perhaps along the shore of Lake Ontario east of Rochester, where some influence from the upper Great Lakes is enhancing the snow a bit.
The chance for a few flurries will continue into early Friday, but most of Friday will be dry as high pressure moves overhead. Temperatures Thursday will be in the mid 20s, with low 20s Friday. Overnight lows may drop below zero for some of the colder areas, while the warmer locations near the lakes stay in the low teens.
Meanwhile, an area of disturbed weather over the Plains will dive into the southeast and strengthen. This system will then redevelop off the coast of the Carolinas and move north, spreading ice and blizzard conditions across the Carolinas, Virginia and into the Mid-Atlantic region. Some areas in Virginia and the DC/Baltimore metro areas could end up with 2-3 feet of new snow on Saturday, possibly breaking records in those cities.
Travel anywhere south of roughly I-80 is extremely discouraged this weekend. This will be a very high impact, potentially dangerous event for these regions. This is not hype- just the reality of the situation.
While this goes on to our south, the Finger Lakes will stay high and dry this weekend. Saturday will be a bit cool, with highs in the low 20s under mostly cloudy skies. Some areas may hit 30 on Sunday though with some additional sunshine.
Temperatures will continue to rise Monday and Tuesday before a cold front brings cold weather and lake snows back in later next week.
