Yellow Alert Issued for Bitter Cold, Lake Snow in Rochester

Dangerous wind chills and several inches of lake effect snow expected this weekend

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A Yellow Alert has been issued for the Rochester, NY area on Saturday, with forecasts calling for wind chills between -10°F to -20°F throughout the day, along with several inches of lake effect snow and blowing snow. The snow is expected to start Friday night and continue into Sunday, with the heaviest accumulations near Lake Ontario.

Why it matters

The combination of bitter cold temperatures and heavy lake effect snow can create hazardous travel conditions and increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia for those spending extended time outdoors. The persistent snowfall will also make it challenging for residents to clear snow, as snowbanks continue to grow higher.

The details

A clipper system moving through the region on Friday will bring a coating to 1-2 inches of snow. Then, lake enhancement and lake effect snow will kick in Friday night into Saturday morning, leading to steadier and heavier snowfall. Several more inches of snow are expected on Saturday, with the snow continuing in the form of pure lake effect through the weekend. The light, fluffy snow will be blown around by a brisk northerly wind, potentially causing blowing snow that drifts back onto east-west roads.

  • A clipper system will bring 1-2 inches of snow on Friday.
  • Lake effect snow will develop Friday night and continue through Saturday.
  • The heaviest snow is expected Saturday, with several more inches accumulating.
  • Snow showers will linger into Sunday before tapering off.
  • The Yellow Alert is in effect for Saturday, February 8, 2026.

The players

Stacey Pensgen

A news reporter for News10NBC in Rochester, NY, who provided the initial weather forecast details.

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What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation and may issue additional alerts or warnings as the winter storm approaches and unfolds.

The takeaway

Residents in the Rochester area should prepare for dangerously cold temperatures and significant lake effect snow this weekend, which could make travel treacherous and create challenges for snow removal. It's important to take necessary precautions to stay safe during the extreme winter weather conditions.