Freezing rain likely later Monday

Winter Weather Advisories Region Wide

All the Finger Lakes, along with Western and Central New York and much of Pennsylvania, are under Winter Weather Advisories for the risk of icy conditions Monday afternoon and night because of freezing rain.

A cold area of high pressure has built into the region overnight and will help set up freezing rain later this afternoon and evening.

Temperatures are starting the teens with some single digits in Central New York.

A warm front is working northeast through the Midwest and into the Great Lakes. There are two areas of precipitation associated with the front.

The first will arrive in western New York later this morning and will cross the Finger Lakes during the early to midafternoon.

Much of this precipitation will fail to reach the ground thanks to dry air from the high pressure. Pockets of light flurries, sleet, or freezing drizzle will be possible though and could make for a few slick spots.

The second, more significant area of precipitation will work in tonight. Much of this precipitation will fall after 9 pm.

Precipitation will start as sleet and freezing rain before eventually changing over to rain after midnight. The northern and western Finger Lakes will change to rain quickest while areas further southeast stay icy longer.

Strong winds over higher elevations will also be possible with gusts over 40 mph. This could lead to some branches falling if ice accumulates.

Slick road conditions are likely and may linger into Tuesday morning, even as the precipitation tapers to showers.

Temperatures will rise Tuesday morning and conditions should improve through the mid and late morning hours. Highs will reach well into the 40s during the afternoon.

Snow and Cold Behind System

Winds will shift from the south to the northwest Tuesday evening and increase as low pressure crosses Lake Ontario.

This will signal the start of a prolonged windy, snowy period that will last well into Thursday.

Rain will turn to snow Tuesday evening with a spray of flurries and squalls south and southeast of Lake Ontario.

The heaviest snows may shift northeast out of the Finger Lakes for a time Wednesday before coming back south into the region Wednesday night.

The snow should gradually taper off Thursday, remaining in the favored areas southeast of Lake Ontario.

Winds will gust between 35-45 mph all during this time, causing blowing and drifting of the snow.

Much of the Finger Lakes will see an inch or two of snow accumulation. Higher amounts are likely between Syracuse and Cortland where several inches may fall.

I will have a snow accumulation map tomorrow for that snow.

Temperatures will also be quite cool compared to what we have had the last several weeks. High temperatures Thursday will be in the 20s and Friday may not get out of the teens. The weekend, too, looks cold.

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