Rochester Braces for More Lake-Effect Snow and Bitter Cold

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The Rochester, NY area is in for another round of lake-effect snow and frigid temperatures, with the cold pattern expected to continue through much of February. While a brief warm-up is possible midweek, another arctic blast is on the way by the end of the week, keeping the region firmly in the grip of winter.

Why it matters

Persistent cold and heavy snowfall can disrupt daily life, impact travel, and strain local resources. The Rochester area has already experienced an unusually harsh winter, and residents will need to brace for more wintry weather in the coming days and weeks.

The details

The region is expected to see 1-3 inches of lake-effect snow north of the Thruway, with higher totals possible along the immediate lakeshore. Temperatures will struggle to reach the low 20s Fahrenheit, tying for the second-longest stretch at or below 20 degrees over the past century. A brief warm-up is expected on Tuesday and Friday, with highs reaching the upper 20s, but another arctic blast is forecast to arrive by the end of the week, bringing the bitter cold back.

• Today, the lake-effect snow will continue through the morning and into the afternoon, tapering off around 3pm.
• On Groundhog Day (February 2), highs will reach the low 20s with partly cloudy skies.
• Lake-effect snow will return on Tuesday and continue through Thursday.
• A clipper system will bring widespread snow on Friday.
• After the Friday clipper, another arctic blast is expected to arrive, ushering in more bitterly cold temperatures.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Residents should continue to monitor the forecast and prepare for the ongoing wintry conditions, including dressing warmly, being cautious on the roads, and ensuring they have necessary supplies on hand.