First Alert Weather: Showers and Snow Ahead for Rochester

Wet weather and wintry conditions expected to close out the work week and continue into the weekend.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A storm system will bring rain showers to the Rochester, NY area on Friday, with the potential for some snow showers by late Friday evening and into the weekend. Temperatures will drop, leading to a wintry mix and light snow accumulations over the weekend as a Nor'easter develops along the coast.

Why it matters

The changing weather conditions will impact travel and outdoor activities in the Rochester region as the work week ends and the weekend approaches. Residents will need to prepare for a shift from rain to snow and colder temperatures.

The details

The storm system will arrive with a warm front on Friday morning, bringing a batch of rain showers. After a period of drier weather, more rain showers are expected in the afternoon as a cold front moves through. Temperatures will drop enough by late Friday evening for some snow showers to mix in. The weekend will be wintry, with light snow showers and periods of light snow as a Nor'easter develops off the coast. A couple inches of snow accumulation is possible over the weekend before the snow tapers off on Monday.

  • The storm system will arrive with a warm front on Friday morning (February 20, 2026).
  • Rain showers are expected Friday afternoon as a cold front moves through.
  • Snow showers are possible late Friday evening and into the overnight hours.
  • Light snow showers and periods of light snow are expected on Saturday (February 21, 2026) and Sunday (February 22, 2026) as a Nor'easter develops off the coast.
  • The snow will taper off and end on Monday (February 23, 2026).

The players

Stacey Pensgen

A meteorologist and news reporter for News10NBC in Rochester, New York.

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What they’re saying

“Our next storm system will be moving in to close out the work week. It'll start with a warm front and a batch of rain Friday morning.”

— Stacey Pensgen, Meteorologist (News10NBC)

“The weekend turns wintry once again. Light snow showers stick around on Saturday as temperatures drop back into the 20s through the day, so the morning will tend to be the warmest part of the day.”

— Stacey Pensgen, Meteorologist (News10NBC)

What’s next

Residents in the Rochester area should monitor the weather forecasts and prepare for changing conditions, including the potential for snow and colder temperatures over the weekend.

The takeaway

The shifting weather patterns in Rochester highlight the unpredictable nature of the region's climate, underscoring the importance of staying informed and prepared for sudden changes in temperature and precipitation.