After a relentless week of lake-effect snow that buried parts of Ski Country under more than two feet of accumulation, the worst of the storm cycle is finally over. The infamous snow belts have seen enough shoveling for now, and while winter’s grip remains firm this weekend, conditions will be noticeably calmer compared to what residents just endured.
Cold air will continue to dominate the region through Saturday and Sunday, keeping temperatures well below freezing. However, widespread heavy snowfall is no longer expected. Instead, a weak weather system will move through Saturday night into early Sunday, bringing a light, area-wide snowfall. Any lingering lake response off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario will be limited, producing only spotty flurries or light snow showers.
By the time the weekend wraps up, most communities can expect an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow at most. That is a far cry from the intense lake-effect bands that caused near-whiteout conditions earlier in the week.
Looking ahead, another weak system is expected to arrive Monday with periods of light snow. Some lake-enhanced snow may follow on Tuesday, but again, accumulations look minor. A more organized system arrives by mid-week, and this one brings a notable change: warmer air. That shift means precipitation later next week is more likely to be wet and slushy rather than purely wintry.
Weekend and Early Week Forecast
Saturday
Morning: Mostly cloudy skies with temperatures near 15°F
Afternoon: Clouds thicken with late-day snow developing, highs in the mid-20s
Sunday
Morning: Scattered snow showers, temperatures around 15°F
Afternoon: Mostly cloudy and cold, highs again in the mid-20s
Monday
Morning: Mostly cloudy and frigid, near 10°F
Afternoon: Snow showers developing, with temperatures rising close to 30°F
While winter isn’t done with Ski Country just yet, the upcoming stretch offers a much-needed break from extreme snowfall. Cold conditions will linger, but travel and daily routines should be far easier to manage compared to the intense lake-effect siege that defined the past week.
