Saturday updates on weekend snow, Sunday Night freeze

Snow Chances This Weekend

The Spring season would not be complete in the Finger Lakes without a bout of unwelcome snow.

We will actually have two chances for snow this weekend from two different systems. First, the storm system that brought the rain and wind Friday will send another batch of precipitation into the Finger Lakes today. Next, a new system will spread precipitation in for Sunday morning.

An area of moisture is wrapping around Friday’s low, which is now situated to our north over Canada. Snow is already falling in western New York and should increase across the Finger Lakes during the mid to late morning hours.

The steadiest snow will fall along the I-90 corridor and east of Cayuga Lake as Lake Ontario adds some enhancement. A coating of snow may accumulate with an inch or more across the higher elevations south of Syracuse.

The snow should end for most of the Finger Lakes during the midday hours while the I-81 corridor will continue to see snow until the mid-afternoon.

West-northwest winds will strengthen again this morning and will remain strong throughout the day. Gusts over 40 mph will be commonplace and some higher elevations and areas along the shore of Lake Ontario could approach 50 mph.

Today will end with some areas of sunshine and high temperatures ranging through the 40s.

The next system will begin to work in well before sunrise on Sunday. The core of the precipitation from this system will come across the Southern Tier and southern Finger Lakes. There is a slight chance it could go even further south.

Areas of snow will be possible through the morning hours. A slushy inch or two will be possible for areas south of I-90 while some higher elevations could see as much as 2 or 3 inches.

Temperatures should generally stay at or above freezing, so most roads will remain wet. A few rural, higher elevation roads could get a bit sloppy.

Snow will be replaced by sunshine over the course of the afternoon. High temperatures Sunday will rise into the upper 40s in the west, where the sun shines longer. Low and mid 40s become more likely the further east you go. Winds Sunday will be light.

Freeze Conditions Sunday Night

The clearing skies Sunday afternoon will set up a very cold night which could put plants at risk across the region.

From my conversations with plant growers, the concern seems to be temperatures getting into the 24-28 degree range. Temperatures above that will probably not be too dangerous for the stage most plants are at. Temperatures in that range will start to cause plant damage, while temperatures colder will cause serious problems.

These are general statements that may not apply to your situation. Use your judgement and knowledge to take action as necessary.

Morning lows Monday will of course vary greatly over our region, as is often the case. The good news is that the models have trended a couple degrees warmer.

The coldest areas will be in the higher elevations of the Southern Tier and Central New York. Here, mid 20s seem like a good bet. Upper 20s are more likely across the heart of the Finger Lakes with lows near or just above 30 degrees along the lakes.

Again, these are general statements. Temperatures can vary greatly over very small distances in these situation.

Temperatures looks to remain below normal for much of next week, but the chances for frost after Monday morning will be almost nonexistent with plenty of cloud cover as our parade of weather systems continues.

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