The week ahead will be quite typical for the ending of February. There will be multiple chances for snow, mostly with minor accumulations. Temperatures will bounce around, taking a chilly dip on Tuesday but also having a chance at breaking 40 degrees on Saturday.
Monday
What: Scattered snow showers, gusty winds
Impacts: A few snowy roads early; Minimal daytime accumulation
Occasional snow showers will continue to cross the region from time to time, semi-related to the East Coast blizzard that is ongoing across New England and New Jersey. Most areas will see little to no additional accumulation during the daytime hours today.
Winds will be breezy from the north-northwest, and the southeastern Finger Lakes should see a period of gusts over 30 mph this afternoon. Afternoon highs will be around 30 degrees.
Monday Night
What: Areas of lake effect snow
Where: Mainly across the northern and eastern halves of the region in the usual lake effect areas
Impacts: Snowy roads; Snow accumulations of 1-3 inches.
Lake effect snow will develop this evening as scattered flurries and a few localized squalls. Winds will be gradually shifting from the north-northwest to the northwest. During this transition, there may be an hour or two of enhancement off Cayuga Lake directly south-southeast of the lake.
For the late evening and overnight, as winds become more northwesterly, a spray of widespread lake effect snow will develop. This will be especially prevalent across Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Tompkins, Cortland, and Onondaga counties. Many of these areas should see an additional 1-3 inches throughout the nighttime hours.
Temperatures will be slow to drop initially this evening, but as the wind completes its shift in direction, temperatures will drop quickly overnight. Most areas will end up a few degrees on either side of 10 degrees by the morning.
» For more details on the weather today and tonight, check out the Monday Weather Planner.
Tuesday
What: Lingering morning flurries
Where: Mainly Wayne, northern Cayuga, and Onondaga counties
Impacts: Snowy roads early; An additional inch or so of accumulation
Lake effect snow will linger into Tuesday morning, retreating to the northeastern Finger Lakes before eventually departing the area completely. The rest of the region will be cloudy with a few stray flurries in the morning.
A few breaks in the clouds may appear in the afternoon, but the window for sunshine will be brief. New clouds will quickly build in late in the day. Afternoon highs will struggle to get above 20 degrees.
Tuesday Night
What: A band of snow during the late evening and overnight
Impacts: Snowy roads; Snow accumulations of 1-3 inches
A warm front will move through the region Tuesday night, preceded by an area of widespread snow. This should arrive late in the evening and continue for a few hours into the overnight. A widespread 1-3 inches of accumulation should be expected. Late night travels may find the snow heavy and road conditions poor.
Temperatures will jump behind the snow band, reaching the upper 20s to near 30 degrees by sunrise thanks to breezy south winds.
Wednesday
What: A few snow showers
Impacts: Little if any
Low pressure will pass to our north across Canada on Wednesday. A few snow showers will be possible as this happens. However, with temperatures warming into the mid 30s, no accumulation is expected and roads, once clear of the snow from Tuesday night, should remain just wet.
Thursday
What: Mostly cloudy
Impacts: None
Thursday looks quiet with seasonable temperatures. Morning lows will be in the low 20s with afternoon highs in the low 30s. A few glimpses of sun may be possible, but for the most part it looks like a cloudy day. Winds will be light from the southwest early, then becoming calm in the afternoon.
Friday
What: Most likely quiet weather, but watching the coast
Another coastal system will be possible on Friday. Like today’s East Coast blizzard, the current projections are to keep this system to our southeast. However, there are a handful of models that do bring some accumulating snow into the area, so this is still in a wait-and-see stage.
Weekend
Temperatures are expected to make a brief jump on Saturday with sunny skies. Afternoon highs have a good chance at breaking into the 40s.
Sunday looks cooler with highs retreating to near 30 or in the 20s. Skies will be cloudy, and a stray snow shower cannot be ruled out, but for the most part it looks dry.
March
An active weather pattern is expected to continue into early March. The next of these systems will be possible by Monday. The path of any of these low pressures will determine not only how much precipitation we see, but what type and how warm or cool it will be.
As a whole, the Climate Prediction Center generally favors rather typical March weather with near average temperatures and precipitation. Of course, March is one of our most variable months, with rapid changes between warm and cold, and associated precipitation events, commonplace.
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