New system brings showers and flurries, followed by lake effect

A new weather system will bring some light rain and snow to the Finger Lakes late Wednesday and Thursday, followed by some areas of lake effect snow into the weekend.

Showers Arrive Late Wednesday

The significant winter storm that impacted the Finger Lakes on Monday and Tuesday has pulled out.

A little low-level moisture left behind by the storm will result in a couple areas of drizzle or a few flurries this morning. For the eastern Finger Lakes, where temperatures are starting the day below freezing, untreated surfaces could be a touch slick from the drizzle.

Temperatures will warm into the upper 30s this afternoon as southerly winds develop. These south winds will be in response to the next weather system, which will be moving across the Great Lakes.

A few scattered rain showers will start to show up in the Finger Lakes late this afternoon and will persist through the evening and overnight hours. This rain will be light, with amounts under a tenth of an inch.

Rain to Snow Thursday

A weak area of low pressure will cross the region during the first part of the day Thursday. Meanwhile, a stronger low will take place well to the north, over eastern Canada.

As a result, precipitation should become more widespread during the afternoon hours on Thursday. Gusty northwest winds will import cold air, and temperatures will start to drop back through the 30s.

Precipitation will start to turn over to snow during this time period. Some of the higher elevations, which will change over to snow quicker, could pick up an inch or two. Lower elevations may see a fresh coating before precipitation begins to taper off.

Wind gusts during the daytime hours on Thursday may exceed 30 mph at times. The gusty winds will persist through the nighttime hours and may strengthen some more for Friday.

Lake Effect Snow Returns

It has been some time since lake effect snow was in the forecast. However, with the colder air settling in behind Thursday’s system, some lake effect is expected to develop.

The heaviest snows will be in the typical snow-belt regions just east of Lake Erie and especially over the Tug Hill off of Lake Ontario.

The Finger Lakes will have a few chances for some lake effect, too.

First, as the storm first passes, winds will be out of the northwest. This will send a spray of lake effect snow showers into the Finger Lakes Thursday night and early Friday. Most areas will probably see an inch or less from this.

Then, as winds turn towards the west, flurries and a few squalls from Lake Erie will be possible Friday into Saturday.

Finally, winds will turn back to the northwest on Sunday, capturing the Lake Ontario snow band and pushing it south into the northern and eastern Finger Lakes before it largely dissipates. A few flurries may linger into Monday as well.

Snow accumulations during this time period will vary, with some areas getting little to no snow while others see several inches. The eastern Finger Lakes, especially in southern Cayuga County, have the best chance for several inches, as those areas may be impacted by both the Lake Erie band early on, and the snow from Lake Ontario later in the weekend.