After days of near-constant snow, much of the Finger Lakes and Central New York will catch a short break in the active winter pattern Friday morning. That pause will be temporary. Forecasters say another surge of lake effect snow is expected late Friday night through the weekend, with the greatest impacts likely east of Lake Ontario and across parts of the western Southern Tier.
Temperatures Friday will remain seasonably cold, topping out near 30 degrees in the Finger Lakes, with brisk west winds gusting over 25 mph at times.
Friday morning update: Lake effect focuses north
Lake effect snow showers lingering southeast of the lakes early Friday are gradually diminishing. However, attention has shifted north and east of Lake Ontario, where a renewed and strengthening lake effect band is redeveloping across Oswego County.
The National Weather Service has issued a Lake Effect Snow Warning for Oswego County through 4 p.m. Sunday, citing two distinct rounds of snow:
- First round Friday into Friday evening: Additional 6 to 10 inches, with the heaviest snow across northern Oswego County.
- Second round late Saturday through Sunday: An additional 8 to 14 inches possible, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour in the most intense bands.
Travel in Oswego County is expected to be very difficult at times through the weekend due to deep snow cover, blowing snow, and sharply reduced visibility.
Finger Lakes and inland areas: A quieter day
Away from the lake effect zones, Friday will be relatively calm compared to recent days.
Across the Finger Lakes, including Ontario, Yates, Seneca, Cayuga and Schuyler counties:
- Mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies
- Highs near 30 degrees
- Only isolated flurries or brief snow showers possible
- No significant accumulation expected
This quieter stretch will continue into Friday night, with lows dipping into the upper teens and lower 20s.
Saturday: Snow chances return as pattern reloads
Snow chances increase again on Saturday as another disturbance moves through the region.
- Finger Lakes and Southern Tier: Scattered snow showers developing late morning into the afternoon, with light accumulations generally under an inch.
- Temperatures: Highs in the low to mid-30s before colder air begins filtering back in late.
While Saturday will not be a major snow day for most inland locations, it marks the transition into a much more active and colder stretch.
Weekend storm setup: Heavy lake effect likely
Forecasters are increasingly confident that Saturday night through Sunday will bring another significant lake effect event, especially east of Lake Ontario.
East of Lake Ontario
- Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties are under Lake Effect Snow Warnings
- Snowfall rates could exceed 2 inches per hour
- Localized totals of a foot or more possible where bands linger
Western Southern Tier
- Winter Storm Watches are in effect for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counties from Saturday through late Sunday night
- Heavy lake effect snow possible, especially across higher terrain such as the Chautauqua Ridge and Boston Hills
Finger Lakes
- Snow showers become more likely Sunday afternoon and evening
- Accumulations should remain lighter compared to lakeshore counties, but slick roads are possible
Sunday will be notably colder, with highs struggling to reach the lower 20s and gusty west to northwest winds creating blowing snow and reduced visibility at times.
Early next week: Still wintry, then warming trend
Snow showers may linger into Monday as another upper-level trough crosses the region, bringing one more round of light to moderate accumulations, particularly east and southeast of the lakes.
Beyond that, forecasters are signaling a pattern change by midweek:
- Temperatures climb back above freezing Tuesday
- Highs may reach the 40s by Wednesday
- Rain showers become possible by Thursday as highs approach the upper 40s
Travel outlook
Drivers should use caution, particularly:
- In Oswego County today and through the weekend
- East of Lake Ontario Saturday night through Sunday
- Across the western Southern Tier during the weekend storm watch period
Lake effect snow bands remain narrow and fast-changing, meaning conditions can deteriorate rapidly within a few miles. Motorists are encouraged to check 511 road conditions and be prepared for winter travel through the weekend.
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