Buffalo, New York – Slick spots could slow drivers along I-81 and portions of I-86 through 9 a.m. Thursday as lake effect snow showers taper southeast of Lake Ontario, reducing visibility to under a mile at times in Jefferson and Lewis counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, lingering snow showers early Thursday will wind down by late morning, giving way to dry but cold conditions across western and north-central New York. Morning temperatures in Watertown and Lowville hover in the teens, while Buffalo and Rochester sit in the lower 20s before climbing into the 30s by afternoon.
Road crews across the Thruway corridor, including I-90 from Buffalo to Rochester, report mainly wet pavement outside the snowbelt, though untreated secondary roads east of Lake Ontario may remain snow covered through the early commute. Drivers should allow extra stopping distance and watch for icy bridge decks.
Friday brings a noticeable warmup statewide. Highs push into the mid to upper 40s across Erie, Niagara and Monroe counties, with some Southern Tier communities nearing 50 degrees. The milder air holds through much of the day, keeping travel impacts minimal on I-190 and I-290.
A cold front crosses early Saturday, knocking temperatures back into the 30s and reintroducing scattered precipitation. Rain may mix with wet snow at times, especially across higher terrain south of I-86 and east toward the Tug Hill Plateau. While widespread accumulation is not expected, brief bursts could create isolated slick spots by Saturday evening.
Conditions quiet down later Saturday night, but colder air lingers through the weekend. Additional advisories could be issued if precipitation trends increase along key roadways.
