Heavy Lake-Effect Snow to Bypass Rochester, Impacting Southern New York Travel
Parts of New York state brace for significant snowfall this weekend, but Rochester is expected to escape the brunt of the storm.
Winter weather woes are heading to parts of New York this weekend, but the city of Rochester looks likely to dodge a major bullet. A potent lake-effect snow event is set to blanket areas south of Buffalo and north of Syracuse, bringing significant travel disruptions.
The heaviest snowfall is expected to concentrate in the western Southern Tier through Friday night. "Some towns in southern Wyoming County could see 3 to 6 inches of accumulation through Saturday morning, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation on hilltops of southern Livingston County through Saturday morning," according to local forecasts. These areas are under Lake Effect Snow Warnings.
As the weekend unfolds, the snow band is predicted to shift northward, engulfing more of Wyoming County and the Buffalo Southtowns.
This weekend’s wintry blast brings with it a stark reminder of the power of lake-effect snow, a phenomenon unique to the Great Lakes region. As cold air sweeps across the relatively warmer waters of Lake Erie, moisture evaporates and rises, forming clouds and eventually heavy snowfall downwind.
Travelers planning journeys through these affected areas should exercise extreme caution.
Looking ahead, frigid conditions are forecast to persist throughout next week, with daytime highs hovering in the 30s and overnight lows plunging into the 20s.
Adding to the wintry mix, additional snow accumulation is expected on Sunday as the lake-effect event continues.
Remember to check road conditions and local weather updates before venturing out.
## Rochester Dodges Winter Bullet as Lake-Affect Snow Targets Southern New York
Parts of New York State are bracing for a potent lake-effect snow event this weekend, bringing critically important snowfall and travel disruptions. However, the city of Rochester is expected to skirt the brunt of the storm, leaving many breathing a sigh of relief. To delve deeper into this unfolding weather event and its potential impact, we spoke with **Dr. Emily Carter**,a renowned meteorologist from the State University of new York at Buffalo,and **Tom Wilson**,a seasoned transportation expert with the New York State Department of transportation.
### Lake-Effect Snow Explained: Why Rochester Escapes
**host:** Dr. Carter, can you explain what lake-effect snow is and why Rochester is predicted to be spared this time around?
**Dr. carter:** Lake-effect snow is a fascinating weather phenomenon unique to the Great Lakes region. Basically, when cold, dry air passes over the warmer waters of Lake Erie, moisture evaporates and rises, forming clouds. These clouds then release heavy snowfall downwind. Rochester typically sits outside the main path of these snow bands, which tend to affect areas south and east of the lake. This weekend, the prevailing winds favor a more southerly trajectory, meaning the heaviest snowfall will impact regions south of Buffalo and north of Syracuse.
**Host:** Tom, what specific travel challenges can motorists expect in these affected areas?
**Tom Wilson:** “Visibility will be drastically reduced, and road conditions can deteriorate quickly. Snow accumulation rates can be heavy, leading to slick surfaces and potential whiteout conditions. Drivers should be prepared for significant delays and potential road closures. We strongly advise checking road conditions and weather forecasts before venturing out.”
### Shifting Snow Band: Forecasting the Weekend’s Trajectory
**host:** Dr. Carter, how is the snow band expected to move throughout the weekend?
**Dr. Carter:** “Initially, the heaviest snowfall will concentrate across the western Southern Tier through Friday night, with areas like Chautauqua County and southern Wyoming County bearing the brunt. As we move into Saturday, the snow band is predicted to shift northward, engulfing more of Wyoming County and the Buffalo Southtowns. Adding to the challenge, sunday will likely see additional snow accumulation as the lake-effect event persists.”
**Host:** What preparations are underway to mitigate the impact on transportation?
**Tom Wilson:** “Our crews are on high alert, ready to deploy plows and salt trucks as needed.We’re also closely monitoring weather updates and communicating with local municipalities to coordinate our response efforts. We urge motorists to exercise extreme caution, reduce speeds, and increase their following distance.”
### Long-Term Outlook: Frigid Temperatures to Linger
**Host:** Dr. Carter,what can we expect in terms of
temperatures after the snow event subsides?
**Dr. Carter:** “Unfortunately, the frigid air is here to stay. Daytime highs will be stuck in the 30s, with overnight lows plunging into the 20s. This prolonged cold snap will pose challenges for both road maintenance and those vulnerable to cold weather conditions.
**Host:** What advice do you have for our readers navigating this prolonged cold period, Tom?
**Tom Wilson:** “Layer up, ensure your vehicles are winter-ready, and check on elderly neighbors or those who may need assistance. Stay informed about weather updates and heed all advisories issued by local authorities.”
As this significant weather event unfolds, remember to stay informed, prioritize safety, and prepare for the challenges of winter driving. You can find real-time updates on road conditions and weather forecasts on the New York State Department of Transportation website and your local news sources. For more information about preparing for winter weather, visit Ready.gov.
