Bitterly cold temperatures will persist this afternoon across all of central New York. Temperatures near 10 above combined with an increasing northwest breeze will produce wind chill temperatures near -10° in Syracuse. However east and north of Syracuse, the wind chills will range between -10 and -20 and that has prompted the National Weather to extend a wind chill advisory through the afternoon.
As for lake effect snow showers or flurries, indications are that areas west of Syracuse, in particular the counties near Lake Ontario, will stand the greatest chance for lake effect snow showers. However, as the afternoon unfolds winds will become better aligned from the northwest. Consequently, the immediate Central New York area will have a greater chance for lake effect clouds and snow showers later. Were it not for dry and strong high closing in on the region, we’d be a bit more enthusiastic about the prospects of lake effect snow showers.
By Friday, two areas of low pressure, one to our south and one farther north, will move east. The southern system and the one that has more moisture, looks to stay south of the region while the northern system, one with less moisture, looks to impact the region with some snow showers or even some light snow.
With both of these areas of low pressure moving east, the arctic air will be reinforced for the start of the weekend. By the end of the weekend and early next week the arctic air will lift back into Canada and our temperatures will have a chance to moderate. In fact, the arrival of some snow Monday will signal the likely arrival of much warmer air that’s slated to move in Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
