Yellow Alert Remains for Lake Snow North

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A wind shift is bringing a brief uptick in lake effect snow to the northern tier counties of the Rochester, New York area on Friday night. The snow will then become more spread out, with the Rochester area and points north seeing 1-3 inches of accumulation overnight, while areas south of the city will see less than an inch. The stubborn snow will linger into Saturday, with another inch or two possible, mainly north of the Thruway. Parts of the Finger Lakes may see some light flakes, but little accumulation is expected south of the city.

Why it matters

Lake effect snow is a common weather pattern in the Rochester region during the winter months, often impacting travel and daily activities for residents. The National Weather Service has issued a Yellow Alert for the northern areas, advising residents to be prepared for the potential for hazardous driving conditions.

The details

The lake effect snow is being driven by a wind shift that is bringing moisture from Lake Ontario into the northern tier of the Rochester region. While the worst of the cold has passed, temperatures will still be in the lower teens, making for hazardous driving conditions, especially on untreated roads. The snow is expected to be lighter and more spread out on Saturday, but northern areas may still see an additional inch or two of accumulation.

• The lake effect snow is expected to pick up Friday night.
• Overnight accumulations of 1-3 inches are forecast north of Rochester.
• The snow will continue into Saturday, with another inch or two possible, mainly north of the Thruway.
• Parts of the Finger Lakes may see some light flakes on Saturday, but little accumulation is expected south of the city.

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the lake effect snow and provide updates on the potential for additional accumulation and impacts to travel in the region.