Residents across the Finger Lakes, Central New York and much of Upstate New York should prepare for a windy and unsettled weekend as a strong weather system moves through the region, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say conditions will deteriorate through Friday afternoon as increasing winds combine with a mix of rain and snow. Travel could become difficult at times through early Saturday, especially in areas seeing stronger wind gusts or accumulating snow.
Strong winds likely across much of the region
The most widespread concern through Friday night will be strong winds. A Wind Advisory is in effect from noon Friday until Saturday morning for much of the Finger Lakes and surrounding areas, including Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston and Northern Cayuga counties.
Southwest winds are expected to reach 25 to 35 mph with gusts between 45 and 50 mph. In areas closer to Lake Erie and the Niagara Frontier, gusts could reach up to 60 mph under a High Wind Warning.
Those winds could bring down tree limbs and cause isolated power outages. Drivers, especially those operating high-profile vehicles, may experience difficult travel conditions during peak wind periods.
Rain and snow mix expected Friday
Precipitation will spread across western and central New York through Friday morning, beginning primarily as wet snow before transitioning to a mix of rain and snow during the afternoon.
Because temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 30s and lower 40s across lower elevations, most of the snow accumulation in the Finger Lakes region should be limited. Forecasters say about an inch or less of snow may fall in many lower-elevation areas before changing to rain.
Road conditions could briefly become slick during the early stages of the storm, but the mid-March sun and warmer temperatures should limit widespread travel impacts in the Finger Lakes.
Higher elevations could see somewhat greater totals, especially east of Lake Erie where upslope snowfall may produce several inches overnight.
Heavier snow expected east of Lake Ontario
While the Finger Lakes will see mostly mixed precipitation, communities east of Lake Ontario will experience significantly heavier snowfall.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties from late Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. Forecasters expect between 10 and 18 inches of snow in parts of that region, along with wind gusts up to 50 mph that could create blowing and drifting snow.
Travel conditions in those areas are expected to become hazardous Friday evening and overnight.
Conditions improve Saturday before another system arrives
Snow showers will taper off through Saturday morning across western and central New York as the storm system pulls away. Windy conditions may continue into the day, but travel conditions should gradually improve.
However, the break will be brief.
Another storm system is expected to move toward the Great Lakes late Saturday night into Sunday. That system could bring another round of snow changing to rain, along with strong winds and large temperature swings across Upstate New York.
Active weather pattern continues into next week
Forecasters say the overall pattern will remain active through early next week.
A powerful cold front expected Monday could produce additional strong winds and showers before colder air moves back into the region. That colder air may trigger lake-effect snow east of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario through the early part of the week.
Temperatures could rebound closer to normal levels by midweek as the pattern becomes less extreme.
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