Winter is set to make its return to the Finger Lakes and Central New York starting later today, bringing heavy lake-effect snow, gusty winds, and frigid temperatures through early Friday.
The National Weather Service predicts rain will transition to wet snow from west to east throughout today, with minor accumulations of 1 to 2 inches in higher elevations by evening. Strong cold air moving in behind the storm will then generate heavy lake-effect snow bands east of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, where some areas could see snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour.
In areas downwind of Lake Erie, such as southern Erie County, snowfall totals may reach 2 to 3 feet by Friday morning. Winds gusting up to 45 mph will create blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility and causing near-whiteout conditions in affected areas, including Buffalo and Batavia.
Lake Ontario will fuel similar heavy snowfall, particularly impacting Jefferson, Lewis, and northern Oswego counties. The Tug Hill Plateau is expected to bear the brunt of this system, with totals reaching up to 3 feet by Friday morning. Communities around Watertown and Fort Drum are likely to see snowfall of 1 to 2 feet.
The lake-effect snow bands are forecast to shift north and south through the period, creating a difficult-to-predict scenario where exact snowfall amounts will vary greatly even within short distances. South Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs may see over a foot of snow, while northern Buffalo could experience much less accumulation.
Road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly where snow bands set up. Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare for hazardous driving conditions.
Temperatures will plummet through the storm, with highs in the 20s and wind chills dropping to the single digits by Thursday night. The storm will gradually taper off late Friday as winds shift and cold air moderates.
Check out the FingerLakes1.com Weather Center for the latest 7-day forecast.
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