Snow Report: Saturday, December 14, 2019

Rain will turn to snow this afternoon as a cold front moves through the Finger Lakes, leading to minor to moderate snow accumulations.

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WHAT

A strengthening area of low pressure is pulling away from the region this afternoon. Cold air behind the low will turn steady rain to a period of moderate to heavy snow, especially this evening. Higher elevations and far western areas will be the most prone to moderate accumulations.

ALERTS ACTIVE

A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect for Wyoming County.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES are in effect for the following counties (listed alphabetically):
Allegany, Genessee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario

WHEN

As of 2 PM, widespread rain was falling across the region. Snow is being reported across Western New York and into Wyoming County. Between 2-6 PM, the precipitation will turn to snow from west to east across the Finger Lakes.
Once the rain turns to snow, steady moderate to heavy snow will continue for approximately 4-6 hours. The snow should taper to flurries quickly thereafter.

HOW MUCH

Snow amounts will vary greatly across the region. The lowest amounts will be across the eastern Southern Tier, northward between Keuka and Cayuga lakes and along the shore of Lake Ontario. These locations may see around an inch of accumulation.

Higher amounts can be expected both west and east of these areas. For areas west of I-390, where precipitation will stay snow longest, accumulations over 4 inches are likely. In the eastern Finger Lakes, accumulations exceeding four inches are most likely in the hills between Cortland and Syracuse.

TEMPERATURES

Temperatures will fall through the 30s during the afternoon. Most places should end up near or just above 32 degrees this evening and overnight. If temperatures drop a degree or two lower and end up below freezing, accumulations could be greater.

TRAVEL IMPACTS

A variety of road conditions are expected. During the peak of the snowfall early this evening, secondary and rural roads will become snow covered and major thoroughfares may become slushy.

Depending on small localized variations in temperatures, as well as road treatments, some roads may remain just wet with little travel impact outside of reduced visibility.
Most roads should remain ice-free unless temperatures end up slightly colder and dip below 32 degrees.

OTHER IMPACTS

West winds will increase this evening with gusts of 30-40 mph throughout the night and into Sunday.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE

LOW- There is a razor-thin margin between the snow amounts predicted and higher amounts should temperatures drop below freezing. It is likely that small pockets of sub-freezing temperatures, especially over higher elevations, will lead to locally higher snow amounts.

Given the expected temperatures, it will be possible that areas in close proximity to one another may receive significantly different snow amounts.

FUTURE SNOW OUTLOOK

Scattered lake effect snow showers will be likely through Sunday, Sunday night, and into early Monday. Little if any snow accumulation is expected.

Widespread precipitation is likely Monday night into Tuesday. This may fall as all snow, or could mix with some ice, especially across southern areas.

FUTURE UPDATES

• Regularly scheduled Monday morning post (Between 7-8 AM)
• Snow Report: Monday Night-Tuesday (Between 2-5 PM Monday)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Get the forecast for your Zip Code
• Finger Lakes Weather Radar
• Ask Meteorologist Drew Montreuil a question
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