The major winter storm that brought widespread heavy snow to the Finger Lakes and Central New York is winding down this morning, but hazardous winter conditions remain firmly in place as lake-enhanced snow, blowing snow, and dangerous cold become the primary concerns, according to the National Weather Service.
While the steadiest snowfall has ended, travel impacts will continue today, and forecasters warn that new lake-effect snow warnings and extreme wind chills will keep winter hazards elevated through midweek.
Steady snow ends, lighter snow continues today
The back edge of the main storm system has moved east, ending the widespread heavy snow that fell Sunday and overnight. Early this morning, most of the Finger Lakes are seeing a lull or lighter snow showers, though snow has not ended completely.
Wraparound moisture and lake enhancement will fill back in through the day, with scattered snow showers continuing across Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Tompkins, Schuyler, and Steuben counties. Additional accumulations today are expected to be generally 1 to 3 inches, with higher totals possible closer to Lake Ontario.
Road conditions will remain snow-covered and slippery, especially on untreated secondary roads.
Winter storm warnings still in effect for parts of the Finger Lakes
Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect this morning for parts of the region as lighter but persistent snow continues.
In Wayne County, forecasters expect 3 to 6 additional inches of snow today through tonight, with the warning remaining in effect until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Portions of Ontario County may see another 1 to 3 inches before snow tapers later today.
Elsewhere across the Finger Lakes, additional snowfall today will be lighter overall, but combined with previous accumulations will continue to impact travel.
Blowing snow and worsening travel conditions today
Northwest winds will increase this afternoon, with gusts of 20 to 30 mph, creating areas of blowing and drifting snow, particularly in open and rural areas.
Even where snowfall rates are lighter, reduced visibility and drifting snow could cause rapid changes in road conditions, especially during the Monday morning and evening commutes.
Dangerous cold arrives tonight
A reinforcing shot of Arctic air will move in tonight, bringing dangerously cold wind chills across the region.
Overnight lows will fall into the single digits and below zero, with wind chills dropping to 5 to 15 below zero across much of the Finger Lakes. In some areas west and southwest of the region, wind chills could dip even lower.
The National Weather Service warns that frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes under these conditions.
Lake-effect snow becomes the main threat Tuesday through Thursday
While the Finger Lakes will see lighter snow overall, lake-effect snow will intensify east and southeast of Lake Ontario beginning Tuesday.
A Lake Effect Snow Warning has been issued for northern Cayuga County, along with Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties, from Tuesday morning through Thursday evening. Forecasters say 1 to 2 feet of snow is possible in the most persistent lake-effect bands, with 8 to 14 inches possible even on the southern edge of the bands in far northern Cayuga County.
These lake-effect bands are expected to shift north and south multiple times, leading to highly variable conditions — including periods of intense snowfall followed by brief lulls.
Wayne County could also see additional lake-enhanced snow, especially late Monday night into Tuesday, though totals there are expected to be lower than areas farther north.
Prolonged cold pattern continues
The broader weather pattern remains locked in a deep Arctic trough, keeping temperatures well below normal through the end of the week.
Highs will struggle to get out of the teens most days, with overnight lows frequently near or below zero. Additional cold weather advisories are possible later this week, particularly Thursday night into Friday morning.
Forecasters say only modest relief is possible next weekend, with temperatures slowly moderating but remaining below average.
What residents should expect
While the worst of the widespread snow is over, winter hazards are far from finished. Snow-covered roads, blowing snow, dangerous cold, and the threat of heavy lake-effect snow north of the Finger Lakes will continue to impact the region.
Check out the FingerLakes1.com Weather Center for the 7-day forecast.
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