Storm System Moves In, Stalls Out
An area of low pressure will track into Western New York today, spreading rain across the region.
The radar is already showing rain this morning across the Finger Lakes, but most of this is not yet reaching the ground. Dry air near the surface is causing the rain to evaporate, but this dry air will erode away.
Rain will fall from the late morning through the afternoon. Most of the Finger Lakes should see around or less than a half-inch of rain.
Temperatures today will rise from the upper 30s this morning into the low 40s this afternoon.
A second area of low pressure will develop off the Mid-Atlantic coast tonight and will become the primary low as it moves into New England tomorrow morning. The low will then stall over northern New England on Wednesday before drifting east on Thursday.
As this happens, colder moist air will wrap around the low and into the Finger Lakes, resulting in a prolonged period of snowfall. This snow will be a combination of snow from the low pressure system and enhancement off the Great Lakes.
The snow should fall steadily through the day Tuesday and Wednesday before tapering off on Thursday.
Temperatures on Tuesday will be in the low and mid 30s while Wednesday should mostly be in the low 30s.
The variations of temperature, their close proximity to the freezing mark, the long duration of the snow, and the enhancement from the Great Lakes makes for a very difficult forecast with large differences over the region.
Snow Map Explained
The heaviest snow seems most likely in the hills south of Syracuse. Here, the winds will be aligned best for heavier snow bands while the higher elevations will provide colder temperatures for the snow to accumulate easier.
From Tuesday through Thursday, over a foot could fall in some of these areas.
A widespread swath of 4-8 inches will be possible along and north of I-90, as well as in the Bristol Hills near and south of Canadaigua and the higher elevations east of Cayuga Lake.
The lowest amounts will be through the central Finger Lakes and across the Southern Tier. These areas will have a combination of lighter snow and temperatures not conducive for snow accumulations.
Travel conditions will vary by location and time. Overnight periods and higher elevations will have the best chance for snow accumulating on roadways. During the daytime, most main roads should remain just wet.
The amounts on the map are approximate total accumulations over the entire three-day period. So, for areas that are only expected to see an inch or two, this will be a minor event. Even the areas that could see significant snow will only see a few inches each day.
Once the snow tapers off on Thursday, Â warmer weather will move back in for the weekend with more rain possible.
Get Notified of new posts!
Never miss an update from FLX Weather by subscribing to new blog posts! Subscribing is easy, free, and secure!
Note: Subscribers who signed up for email before November 2018 need to resubscribe to this new list.
