Clipper system brings light snow to the Finger Lakes

Light snow will fall throughout much of the day on Tuesday. Most areas will see just a couple of inches of accumulation.

Clipper System Passes Through

A two-part weather system will swing through the area on Tuesday and Tuesday night.

This system originates from Central Canada and has swung south through the Midwest and Great Lakes. From there, it will turn east, then northeast as it moves through New England.

This sort of storm track is common in the winter months and is called an ‘Alberta Clipper’ due to its point of origin and typically quick moving nature.

There are actually two areas of low pressure associated with this clipper, so it may linger around a bit longer than others.

Light snow has already begun to spread across the Finger Lakes from the south early this morning and will continue to do so. The snow will continue to fall for much of the day before tapering to a few flurries this evening.

A second period of light snow will be possible overnight as the second piece of the complex passes by to the north.

Total snow accumulations from both parts of this clipper will be on the order of 1-3 inches.

Lake Effect Behind Clipper

Initially, there will not be a surge of cold air behind the clipper system. Temperatures on Tuesday will rise to near 30 degrees

Temperatures on Tuesday will rise to near 30 degrees and will back into the mid and upper 20s overnight. Wednesday, however, should see temperatures push into the mid 30s.

Some lake effect snow will start to develop on primarily west winds Wednesday. With the marginal temperatures, only some disorganized lake effect is expected. A few flurries or a brief squall from Lake Erie will be possible, but with little to no accumulation.

Winds will turn more northwesterly Wednesday night, which could mean some lake effect in the Finger Lakes region. There is some uncertainty on how far south the snow band will come, however.

By Thursday afternoon, winds will shift to the west-southwest, locking the heavy lake effect well north of the Finger Lakes until the weekend.

It will turn colder, with highs Thursday in the mid and upper 20s and Friday in the low and mid 20s.

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