Friday 7 AM Winter Storm Update

A rapidly strengthening area of low pressure is centered near Washington DC this morning.

Precipitation is expanding and intensifying over the Finger Lakes and much of Pennsylvania. Colder air is also working southeastward toward the low both at the surface and in the low levels of the atmosphere.

The clash of incoming cold air and milder air has the atmosphere primed for heavy precipitation. As the ice continues to change to snow, very heavy snow will quickly accumulate this morning.

Snowfall rates at 1-3 inches per hour will be possible, especially east of Canandaigua Lake.

UPDATE: 8:30 AM- The National Weather Service published a report of 3 inches of snow in Ithaca during the last hour, confirming the anticipated extreme snow rates.

The heavy snow will continue through the morning before tapering off to light snow and flurries this afternoon. Gusty winds will then kick up, causing significant blowing and drifting of the snow.

By this time, the low will be passing through southeastern New York. The latest model projections take the low ever so slightly further east, which may result in some minor adjustments for the western half of the region.

There will likely be some variations in what was forecast, as is common for major winter storms. Overall, though, the forecast from yesterday (please read if you have not yet) looks to be in pretty good shape.

Please, use extreme caution traveling this morning and this afternoon.

Conditions will improve overnight and into Saturday. Temperatures will be cold, with morning lows in the single digits and low teens. That will decrease the effectiveness of road salt. Some blustery winds early in the day will also cause some additional drifting, but overall Saturday morning will be much improved compared to today.

Only a few flurries are expected this weekend, mostly Saturday and Sunday mornings. Another 1-3 inches of snow will be possible Sunday night before that turns to some rain showers for Monday.

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