Morning snow ends, allowing for some breaks of sun

Squalls then Sun

A disturbance is tracking east across Pennsylvania this morning, causing the winds over the Finger Lakes to shift.

With the turn to the northwest, these winds are bringing snow bands off Lake Ontario and into the region.

While most of the snow is light to moderate in intensity, the occasional brief squall will also be possible. Reduced visibility and some slick travel can be expected while any of these squalls pass through from northwest to southeast.

The flurries and squalls will continue off and on this morning with most places seeing just an inch or so of accumulation.

By this afternoon, conditions will become less favorable for lake effect snow. A few flurries may remain, but most areas will be snow-free. Some sunshine will break through the clouds, though it should not become completely clear.

The northwest winds will blow at 10-15 mph with gusts of 30-35 mph. A pocket of cold air will move in on these winds, keeping temperatures from rising much today. Most areas are starting in the low and mid 20s and will remain there throughout the day.

Partly cloudy skies and weakening winds this evening will send temperatures back into the teens with a few pockets of single digits. However, clouds will increase and winds will swing around to the south, causing temperatures to come back up after midnight.

More Light Snow

The wind shift will be in advance of another weak weather system that will pass to our north on Thursday.

Light snow will skirt across the region early Thursday morning, mostly in the northern half of the region. Less than an inch of accumulation is expected before the snow moves out during the mid to late morning.

Snow showers off Lake Erie will linger for areas north of I-90, while some breaks of sunshine may poke out for areas further south. Winds will come from the southwest at 10-15 mph.

High temperatures will range from the low 30s in higher elevations to the mid 30s across most of the region.

Winds will gradually turn to the west Thursday night, sending a spray of snow showers across the Finger Lakes. The wind will continue to turn, ending up from the northwest Friday morning. Snow showers and a few heavier bursts will persist through Friday, Friday night, and into Saturday.

Snow accumulations from this lake effect will be greatest southeast of Lake Ontario, with a few inches possible in the hills south of Syracuse. Most areas, except perhaps southern Steuben, Chemung, and Tioga counties, should see an inch or two.

Friday will be a touch cooler than Thursday with highs in the upper 20s and low 30s, but colder air will move in for Saturday. Look for highs only around 20 degrees with higher elevations sticking to the upper or even mid teens.

The snow should end late Saturday, but clouds will linger through Saturday night. This should hold temperatures in the teens and single digits. If skies were to clear, some areas could end up below zero.

Sunday looks partly to mostly cloudy with highs in the low 20s. Quiet weather will continue at least into early Monday with highs creeping upward toward the mid 20s.

A weather system will pass to the south late Monday into Tuesday. Uncertainty in the track remains high, but chances for moderate to significant snow accumulations look minor.

Regardless, another shot of cold air will move in behind that system for the middle of next week with highs struggling to reach 20 Tuesday and Wednesday.

January will end with more cold temperatures before a slow moderation back towards the seasonal averages in the upper 20s and low 30s for early February.

More Information:

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

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This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.