Heavy lake effect snow will continue to hammer areas downwind of Lake Ontario through the weekend while dangerously cold temperatures grip the region, according to weather forecasts.
A lake effect snow warning continues to be in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday for Cayuga and Oswego counties. The warning previously in effect for Jefferson and Lewis counties has been canceled.
Oswego County and far northern Cayuga County are experiencing the most intense snowfall on Thursday morning, with rates reaching 3 inches per hour along the immediate shoreline. The open waters of Lake Ontario are maintaining an intense snow band that is expected to bring an additional 1-2 feet of snow to Oswego County and nearly a foot to the northern tip of Cayuga County.
According to NOAA weather data, the city of Oswego has received about 27 inches of snow since Sunday. Schools are again closed or delayed in Oswego County on Thursday.
The snow band will shift southward across the lake by midday Thursday, spreading heavy snow along the entire southern shoreline of Lake Ontario through Saturday morning. Areas from Monroe County eastward to the southeast shoreline can expect 6 to 12 inches of accumulation over the two days.
Along with the snow, an arctic airmass will keep temperatures well below normal through the weekend. Wind chills will remain below zero, with readings in the negative teens common during nighttime hours.
The coldest conditions are expected Thursday night through Friday morning, when wind chills could plummet to between minus 20 and minus 30 degrees, or even lower across the North Country. Cold weather advisories have been issued for the entire area from 7 p.m. Thursday through 10 a.m. Friday.
