A surge of Arctic air is driving widespread lake-effect snow, hazardous travel, and the coldest temperatures of the season across the Finger Lakes and surrounding counties today. The National Weather Service says the second of two strong cold fronts is moving through the region this morning, producing bursts of heavy snow, blowing and drifting, and rapidly falling temperatures.
Where warnings and advisories are in effect
Winter Weather Advisories cover communities frequently hit by lake snows. Advisories run through 7 p.m. for Wayne, Northern Cayuga, Onondaga, and Madison counties, where forecasters expect 3 to 6 inches of lake-effect snow, with the highest totals in areas directly under narrow, persistent bands. Morning and evening commutes in these counties are expected to be slow, with periodic near-whiteout conditions.
Farther west, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugas, and Southern Erie counties remain under advisories until 7 p.m., with 2 to 5 inches likely—again highly dependent on band placement. Higher elevations along the Chautauqua Ridge and Boston Hills will see the worst conditions. Earlier-issued advisories for Genesee and Northern Erie counties remain in effect through 6 a.m., with up to two additional inches possible before snow tapers.
To the north and northeast, travel remains difficult across the Eastern Lake Ontario region, where Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties are under advisories until 4 p.m. Totals there range from 3 to 5 inches, with 5 to 8 inches possible on the Tug Hill Plateau.
Front pushes south with bursts of heavy snow
Forecasters say the most disruptive weather will occur through the morning as the Arctic front drops southeast. Snow bands now positioned northeast of Lakes Erie and Ontario will slide rapidly south, sweeping across Rochester, the northern Finger Lakes, and Central New York. These bands may produce a brief but intense burst of snow, quickly covering roads and sharply reducing visibility. Winds gusting up to 35 mph will worsen conditions by blowing and drifting snow across untreated roads.
Coldest air of the season arrives tonight
Behind the front, temperatures will plunge into the mid-20s by midday and hold there. The incoming air mass—by far the coldest of the season—arrives tonight, sending lows into the single digits and below zero in colder rural valleys. Wind chills early Friday morning are expected to reach zero to 10 below across much of the region.
Weekend brings another cold front and more snow chances
Any lingering lake-effect snow will diminish tonight as high pressure builds in, but the break is brief. Another cold front arrives Saturday, bringing renewed chances for light snow and weaker lake-effect bands. A stronger pulse of cold air Sunday night into Monday may drive temperatures back to the single digits with additional light snow.
For the latest updates be sure to check the FingerLakes1.com Weather Center.
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