Snow continues to impact the Finger Lakes and Central New York Thursday midday, though the character of the storm is beginning to shift. According to the National Weather Service, widespread snow this morning is gradually transitioning to more localized lake-effect snow this afternoon and tonight, with the greatest impacts continuing north and northeast of the Finger Lakes into Friday.
Midday conditions across the Finger Lakes
By late morning and midday, snow has become lighter and more intermittent across much of the interior Finger Lakes, including Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tompkins counties. Additional accumulations in these areas are generally limited to an inch or less through early afternoon.
Despite lighter snowfall, travel remains hazardous. Temperatures have fallen into the low 20s, allowing wet and slushy roads to refreeze. The National Weather Service warns that icy spots are likely on untreated roads, bridges, and elevated surfaces through the afternoon.
Warnings and advisories remain in effect
Wayne County and northern Cayuga County remain under a Winter Storm Warning through 1 p.m. Friday. Additional snowfall of 6 to 12 inches is expected, especially across northern portions of both counties closer to Lake Ontario. Gusty winds up to 30 mph are producing areas of blowing and drifting snow, further reducing visibility at times.
Elsewhere in the Finger Lakes, Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday for Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tompkins counties. While snowfall totals are lower, the combination of light snow, blowing snow, and sharply colder temperatures continues to create difficult travel conditions.
Southern Cayuga County also remains under an advisory through Friday, with additional snow expected tonight as lake-effect bands develop farther east.
Shift to lake-effect: How much more snow will fall?
Forecasters say arctic air is now firmly in place behind the departing storm system. As a result, snow will become increasingly lake-driven through the afternoon and evening.
Lake-effect snow will focus primarily east and southeast of Lake Ontario, impacting Wayne County, northern Cayuga County, and areas north toward Oswego County tonight into Friday morning. Farther south across the interior Finger Lakes, snow showers will become more scattered, with improving conditions expected later today.
Timeline of impacts going forward
Thursday afternoon: Light snow and occasional blowing snow continue across much of the Finger Lakes. Travel remains slippery as temperatures stay in the teens and low 20s.
Thursday evening into overnight: Lake-effect snow intensifies east and southeast of Lake Ontario, with persistent snow in Wayne and northern Cayuga counties. Snow showers diminish farther south.
Friday morning: Lake-effect snow gradually tapers off, though slick roads and reduced visibility may linger near Lake Ontario.
Bitter cold and wind chills persist
An arctic air mass will remain in place through Friday morning. High temperatures Thursday are expected to hold in the teens and low 20s across the Finger Lakes. Wind chills near zero are common this afternoon, with values dropping to 5 to 10 below zero overnight, especially in exposed areas.
The cold will slow road treatment efforts and allow icy conditions to persist even where snowfall is minimal.
Travel conditions across the state
While impacts are easing across parts of the Finger Lakes, Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect across Western and Northern New York, including Monroe, Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties. Heavier snow, blowing snow, and whiteout conditions remain possible in lake-effect bands near Lake Ontario.
Drivers traveling north or west from the Finger Lakes should be prepared for rapidly deteriorating conditions, particularly along the New York State Thruway, Route 104, and Interstate 81.
Looking ahead
The National Weather Service says snow will diminish Friday morning, but the broader pattern remains active and cold. Another round of light snow is possible Friday evening into Saturday, followed by the potential for more significant and prolonged lake-effect snow beginning later Sunday and continuing into next week.
Residents across the Finger Lakes and Central New York are urged to continue using caution while traveling and to monitor forecast updates as winter conditions persist.
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