Snow storm continues across the Finger Lakes

Snow Slowly Ends Late

The second phase of our early season winter storm continues across the Finger Lakes after a night of heavy snow.

Widespread snow with embedded bands of intense snowfall remains in place across the region thanks to low pressure just south of Long Island. This low extends westward toward the Great Lakes, where the first part of the system originated.

North of this oblong area of low pressure, east winds aloft continue to pump Atlantic moisture into the region, feeding this long duration snow event.

Overall, no change is expected through this morning as the snow continues. Individual locations will see fluctuations in intensity as the heavier bands spiral through. The heaviest snow will continue to be through the Southern Tier and eastern Finger Lakes, as predicted.

The snow map I published yesterday afternoon is in good shape. Most places seem to be slightly below their predicted final amount with several more inches on the way today. A few locations are already approaching their predicted amounts.

This should not be surprising, given that the map was given a Medium confidence rating and I stated that “localized variations should be expected. This will especially be the case where small bands of intense snow develop, resulting in locally higher snow amounts.”

By this afternoon, the snow will start to pull eastward. Snow rates will decrease, and by about 8 PM this evening, only a few flurries will be left.

Temperatures will continue to hover around 30 degrees before dropping back into the 20s this evening. Winds will increase a bit later this morning and for the afternoon with gusts of 20-25 mph from the north. This will cause some blowing and drifting.

The Rest of the Week

Road conditions should be vastly improved by Tuesday morning, but not yet in perfect shape. Rural roads especially will still be a bit sloppy as the cleanup continues. Tuesday morning should be sunny, which will help clear the roads quicker.

Temperatures will start Tuesday in the teens and low 20s. Afternoon highs should get above freezing and into the mid 30s.

Light snow showers will move back in Tuesday night and linger through Wednesday and into Thursday. There will be some heavy snow east of the Great Lakes, outside of the immediate Finger Lakes region. Locally, snow amounts up to two inches will be possible, with many seeing less than an inch.

High temperatures Wednesday will be in the mid 30s while Thursday settles in the low 30s.

Some more flurries will move through late Friday and Saturday with little to no accumulation. There are no signs of any more big snows in the near future.

In fact, starting Sunday, it looks as though we will move back towards a milder pattern for the middle of December.