Residents in Wayne and Northern Cayuga counties should prepare for heavy lake-effect snow and challenging travel conditions through Sunday evening, as a persistent lake effect continues to impact the region. Especially along the State Route 104 corridor.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, lake-effect snow bands, fueled by cold air streaming across the open waters of Lake Ontario, will shift southward Friday night, bringing intense snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour. Overnight snowfall accumulations of five to eight inches are anticipated in the hardest-hit areas.
Snowfall intensity is expected to peak Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning, with rates increasing to two to three inches per hour. Additional snow accumulations of one to two feet are forecast in the most persistent lake-effect bands, particularly in northern and eastern portions of Wayne County and across Northern Cayuga County.
The weather service also warned of gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 40 mph, which will create blowing and drifting snow, further reducing visibility and making travel hazardous.
The snow and winds are expected to ease by Sunday night as a weak surface ridge builds into the region, bringing a temporary reprieve. However, temperatures will remain well below normal, with daytime highs in the 20s and wind chills dropping into the single digits on Saturday.
Motorists are urged to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense snowfall and exercise extreme caution if travel is unavoidable. Road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly in areas under the heaviest snow bands.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].