Central New York is bracing for severe winter weather as a snow squall alert remains in effect until 3:30 p.m. on Monday. Residents are advised to prepare for dangerous wind chills and strong winds beginning Tuesday, as an arctic air mass makes its way into the region.
The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory for parts of Central New York, effective from 10 p.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Wind chill values are expected to plummet to between minus-five and minus-20 degrees Tuesday morning, as temperatures drop into the single digits and teens, compounded by strong winds.
In addition, a winter weather advisory is active for northern Oneida County from 1 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Wednesday. This area could see a narrow band of lake effect snow, which may lead to several inches of accumulation.
As Monday progresses, scattered snow showers and possibly an isolated snow squall are anticipated to sweep through the region during the afternoon and evening. While significant overall accumulation is not expected, some areas may see slick spots as the cold front approaches, bringing the arctic air mass that promises dangerously low temperatures for Tuesday.
As the week continues, lake effect snow is likely to remain primarily focused north and west of the forecast area; however, northern Oneida County could experience notable snowfall due to its position near the snow band. Snow showers may briefly affect Central New York on Tuesday driven by west-southwest winds originating from Lake Erie.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, a weak clipper system is predicted to lose most of its moisture as it moves northwest of the region. Yet, another clipper system could bring fresh snow showers and additional lake effect precipitation towards the end of the week.
Forecasts for the weekend indicate another potentially severe round of cold weather, possibly even more intense than what is expected on Tuesday. Below-zero lows and highs barely reaching double digits could accompany this frigid air mass, in addition to further wind chill concerns. There is also the possibility of a winter storm this weekend, though details regarding its track and intensity remain uncertain.
As Central New York navigates these challenging winter conditions, residents are reminded to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure safety as the weather evolves.