High pressure is loosening its grip on central New York this afternoon and a cold front is approaching us from the north. The cold front is forecast to move through tonight. Consequently, clouds will increase this afternoon with even a few odd showers/drizzle or snow flurries possible tonight, especially east of Lake Ontario. Overall, however, we feel that the front will move through with little, if any, fanfare.
Behind the front will be a slightly cooler air mass for Saturday. Even though temperatures are likely to be in the upper 30s to near 40 that is actually close to normal for the middle of December.
Meanwhile, along the far west end of Friday night’s front, low pressure is forecast to form in the central Plain States. This storm will move east and northeast to a position somewhere in the lower Great Lakes region by Sunday. This will result in an increase in cloud cover Saturday night with rain or perhaps wet snow possible on Sunday and Sunday night. Since low pressure is weakening as it approaches, we think the precipitation for us will be generally light in nature. Additionally, the low may briefly help draw milder air into the region Monday as high may reach the mid 40s.
A second, stronger area of low pressure will track across the Gulf Coast Monday then take a turn to the north along the East Coast Tuesday into Wednesday. Computer models continue to offer a whole host of possible outcomes. They range from the storm heading out to sea and having little/no impact on CNY to more a direct and meaningful impact on the region. No doubt you’ll want to check back periodically as we’ll have a better idea as to what may unfold later next week over the coming days.
