A number of factors have led to an overall lessening of the expected snow amounts tonight.
The storm system has been trending further to the east, which has the effect of lessening the snow intensity and time of precipitation over the Finger Lakes.
Combined with the other limiting factors I listed in my update this morning, and earlier this week, such as temperature, snow consistency, and the difficulty for snow to accumulate this late in the season unless conditions are ideal, this shift has greatly reduced the snow amounts on the models.
Nearly all major models now show a general coating to two inches across the Finger Lakes tonight, with a few higher elevations possibly seeing more, especially in Central New York.
As originally expected, this snow should not start until near or after midnight. The end of the snow will come well before dawn for many areas, but the I-81 region may hold onto the snow until the sun is up.
Snow showers are still expected to continue throughout Thursday, but as I said this morning, I do not expect daytime accumulations as temperatures warm above freezing.
Areas of messy travel may still be possible early Thursday, so plan accordingly.
