Wintry Pattern Evolving
The area of low pressure that moved through the Finger Lakes region yesterday is now located northeast of Maine.
Behind the low, a cold northwest wind is blowing, leading to areas of lake effect snow.
The snow is scattered about the region this morning and will continue to impact most of the region off and on. Some areas will see just a coating this morning, while others may pick up an inch or two.
Winds will be blustery this morning with gusts as high as 40 mph likely.
As we head into the afternoon, the wind direction will become more westerly and snow should, as a whole, decrease across the Finger Lakes. There will still be scattered snow showers around, but not as much as this morning.
Winds will also back off slightly, though a few gusts near or over 30 mph will continue to be possible.
Temperatures will not be too cold yet, with highs mainly in the low and mid 30s.
Lake effect will intensify tonight, but mainly stay just north of the area across Oswego county. Extreme northern Cayuga and Onondaga counties will be in and out of the snow and may see a couple inches. Only stray flurries are expected elsewhere across the Finger Lakes.
Nighttime temperatures will be in the low and mid 20s.
Much of Friday will be quiet, with west winds keeping the lake effect just north of the area off Lake Ontario, and just west of the area off Lake Erie. There may even be some breaks of sun across the Finger Lakes from time to time.
Temperatures will be a bit cooler with highs near 30 degrees.
Deep Winter
Around sunset, winds will shift, bringing snow south into the Finger Lakes. At first, this will just be a few insignificant flurries in the evening. However, snow will increase during the overnight as Lake Huron and Lake Ontario team up.
While areas of snow are expected throughout the Finger Lakes, a particularly heavy band is expected from northeastern Wayne county, across far northern Cayuga County, and into the Syracuse area.
The snow bands will likely shift around into Saturday, but the northeastern Finger Lakes will continue to be favored for the heaviest snow, owing to the best double connection between Huron and Ontario.
Snow totals will likely vary greatly, with a general 1-4 inches across most of the Finger Lakes. In those favored northeastern areas, including Syracuse, locally 1-2 feet is likely through Saturday.
Winds will kick up again on Saturday as well with gusts as high as 40 mph once again. This may make travel difficult to locally impossible. Like the snow totals, road conditions will vary greatly.
High temperatures on Saturday will be in the mid 20s. Overnight temperatures will be near 20 degrees.
On Sunday, the snow should again retreat toward Oswego county, but the extreme northeastern parts of the region may continue to see some snow. The rest of the region should dry out. Winds will drop as well.
Temperatures may bump up slightly on Sunday with highs in the upper 20s.
Low pressure will pass to our south late Sunday into Monday. Widespread, heavy snow should stay far to our south across the Mid-Atlantic region.
As the low passes by, winds will turn to the north, inducing a spray of lighter lake effect snow throughout the Finger Lakes. An inch or two should fall on Monday across much of the area.
Col air will be reinforced behind this low. Morning temperatures Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be in the mid 10s. Afternoon highs, meanwhile, will be in the low 20s.
Another blustery day is expected on Tuesday. Winds will most likely be out of the northwest. This will send lake snows back into the northeastern Finger Lakes with additional accumulations likely.
Lake effect will continue to be a persistent presence throughout next week. At this point, it is too early to pinpoint the areas most favored on any particular day.
However, the northeastern Finger Lakes should see additional heavy snow at some point next week.
Between now and next weekend, it is not inconceivable that some localized snow totals could approach four feet.
Temperatures will only get colder, with highs late next week in the 10s. Additional windy days are also possible.
This overall pattern of cold air and lake effect snow will persist at least into the middle of January.
More Information:
» Finger Lakes Weather Radar
» Zip Code Forecasts
» Get the FLX Weather Mobile App
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.
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