A storm system will bring snow, cold and strong winds to the Finger Lakes Saturday night into Sunday. A second storm is likely Sunday night into Monday.
The storm in question is still back over the Midwest this morning. Before that system arrives, a separate system will move through during the daytime hours Saturday.
This system does not have as much precipitation with it as was perhaps expected, but it will still bring a few showers through the region from time to time today. Temperatures will top out in the mid 40s before the cold front slides through. By dinner time tonight, most areas will start to drop into the 30s.
Snow will spread from west to east across the region after dark tonight, arriving in the eastern Finger Lakes closer to midnight. Generally speaking, light to moderate snow will fall with just a couple of inches. However, there are numerous indications that a band of lake enhanced snow may develop across the Finger Lakes, especially later Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Should this band develop, snow fall amounts would be higher in these areas as the snow will become heavy at times. Combined with strengthening winds, and visibilities and road conditions will become poor. Underneath this band, anywhere from 4 to as much as 6 or 7 inches could be possible.
This band may initially develop from near Rochester southeast towards Ithaca, but will then slowly drift east to impact places like Geneva, Seneca Falls, and Cortland.
Snow will taper off fairly quickly Sunday morning, even in the lake enhanced areas. The winds, however, will only get stronger with gusts in the afternoon of 40-50 mph.
Winds will calm down Sunday evening, but then a third system will make its way towards the Finger Lakes. Another round of widespread snow is looking likely for later Sunday night into the first half of Monday. Widespread amounts of 3 or more inches look very possible from this second system.
I will make an attempt to post a couple of snow accumulation maps later today and tomorrow as time permits.
