19 Feb 2019

Winter Weather Advisories issued for Wednesday, February 20, 2019

by | posted in: Forecast | 5
finger lakes weather winter storm analysis overview wednesday february 20 2019 ice freezing rain winter weather advisory
Wednesday night will have the worst travel conditions with freezing rain and drizzle falling. Still, major routes should remain in good shape.

Winter Weather Analysis

A weather system will bring a mix of precipitation into the Finger Lakes Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night.

Due to the chance for icy conditions, the National Weather Service has issued Winter Weather Advisories across the Finger Lakes and throughout the surrounding areas.

A Winter Weather Advisory is issued when travel will be impacted by winter weather. Advisories are less serious than a Winter Storm Warning and get issued almost any time there is a threat for ice.

The Finger Lakes has had numerous Winter Weather Advisories this year, including during last week’s icy mixed precipitation event.

Precipitation will start as a period of light snow, beginning from southwest to northeast during the early afternoon Wednesday.

After a few hours of snow, sleet and freezing rain will become the primary precipitation types as warm air works in above the surface. This change over should happen simultaneously with the evening commute.

Watch for some slick spots on untreated roads, sidewalks, and driveways. I expect the main roads to remain in decent shape with only light precipitation falling and road crews out and about treating the roads.

Precipitation will become spotty and even lighter through the evening and into the overnight. Freezing drizzle can still cause slippery conditions, so be aware of the chance for ice, even if it only seems to be misting out.

After midnight, temperatures at the surface should rise above freezing, changing everything to rain or drizzle. Most of the precipitation will be over by then, but drizzle and areas of fog may linger into Thursday morning.

The commute Thursday morning should be trouble free with temperatures peaking in the mid and upper 30s.

Winds will also pick up Wednesday night, especially for higher elevations. A few gusts could exceed 40 mph. Since the amounts of ice will be minimal, power outages are not expected.

In all, look for an inch or less of snow and a thin glaze of ice. This should be a less significant event than last week’s ice, but is still worth some extra caution, especially Wednesday evening.

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Follow Meteorologist Drew Montreuil:
Meteorologist Drew Montreuil has been forecasting the weather in the Finger Lakes region since 2006 and has degrees in meteorology from SUNY Oswego (B.S. with Honors) and Cornell (M.S.). Drew and his wife have four young boys. When not working or playing with the boys, he is probably out for a run through the countryside.

5 Responses

  1. Ellen
    |

    How will travel from ithaca to Syracuse fair Wednesday afternoon with flying out that evening?

    • Meteorologist Drew Montreuil
      |

      Minor travel impacts Wednesday afternoon…main roads should be fine. Flying out should not be a problem either, depending on where the destination is. This is a large system that will be stronger in other areas.

  2. Matthew Montague
    |

    Hey Drew

    Did you see this new weather station? It’s run by a guy from Lansing through Cornell..

    https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/weather/?fbclid=IwAR1pdUBnf6B2Pi_A7B-zQsZGXHT-xZNNV9fTWtqs9LEQ0w_DfOs-R6FJSFg

    • Meteorologist Drew Montreuil
      |

      Now that is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Gail B. Dalmat
    |

    Thanks!