The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch calling for heavy lake effect snow in parts of the Finger Lakes including Seneca, Cayuga, Wayne, Monroe and Onondaga counties. The watch is in effect until 6:00 pm on Saturday night. There is also a Winter Weather Advisory issued for Sullivan County.
HERE IS YOUR UPDATE FOR SATURDAY MORNING:
The heaviest lake effect snow amounts are expected in Wayne and Northern Cayuga today where additional snow accumulations should reach 6 to 10 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Also, lake effect snow amounts are expected in far northern Seneca County. This includes from Waterloo and Seneca Falls northward, especially towards Tyre and Montezuma. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches in the main lake effect band with 1 to 3 inches elsewhere. Southern Cayuga and Onondaga counties could see close to 10 inches in persistent lake effect bands.
Travel could be very difficult in all areas impacted by lake effect snow today.
The watch details are different based on county.
For Seneca, Onondaga and Southern Cayuga, the most persistent lake effect snow bands will be focused on an area from far northern Seneca County, through Cayuga County, and into western and southern Onondaga County, just west of Syracuse. 6 to 8 inches will be possible with locally higher amounts. Lower amounts of 3 to 6 inches are expected elsewhere in the watch area. Also, scattered snow showers and squalls are expected over a broader portion of Central New York Friday night through Saturday.
For Monroe, Wayne and Northern Cayuga, the watch begins at 6:00 pm Friday and will expire Saturday afternoon. Heavy lake effect snow is possible with total snow accumulations of 7 inches or more possible in the most persistent bands coming off of Lake Ontario.
Light snow and flurries early today. Colder air carried on a West Northwest wind will deliver lake effect snows tonight into Saturday. #roc @13wham pic.twitter.com/RTc8Om9qZD
— ?ℂ??? ℍ????? (@scotthetsko) February 19, 2021
Meanwhile, a storm has moved through southwestern New York State today with minor snow accumulation in the southern Finger Lakes.
Here is a map of snowfall totals we have received so far. Please note that at locations where we did not receive many reports, this map shows an estimate of what fell and will not be 100% accurate at each location. Please continue to share your reports with us. #NYwx #PAwx pic.twitter.com/b6NCmogLtw
— NWS Binghamton (@NWSBinghamton) February 19, 2021
An interesting week in our weather nationally as most of the country has experienced severe winter storms that have hit parts of the United States in waves. All but Monday night’s event have had little impact on our region and either missed us or were diminished in intensity when they finally passed through.
It's been a very long week. pic.twitter.com/g69E3zvN8z
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 19, 2021
ORIGINAL POST:
The widespread, generally light snowfall has mostly exited. Now, the region waits for lake effect snow to pick up.
The National Weather Service says that will happen tonight. Cayuga, Monroe, Seneca, and Onondaga counties are included in a Winter Storm Watch, which runs from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon.
In persistent bands of snow upwards of 7 inches of snow will be possible. That said, not everyone will see that much snow.
Heavy lake effect snow is possible across Monroe, Wayne, and northern Cayuga counties Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 7 inches or more are possible in the most persistent lake snows. pic.twitter.com/bi6VerokJD
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) February 18, 2021
FLXWeather.com Meteorologist Drew Montreuil says says the heaviest lake effect snow should be held to Wayne and Cayuga counties. The northern portion of Seneca County might see some accumulation, but it won’t be as intense. The southern portion of the county should see significantly less snowfall overall.
– Read his full-report here at FLXWeather.com
Check out the FingerLakes1.com Weather Center for the latest forecast information.
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