Buffalo, New York – Drivers across western and north-central New York should prepare for pockets of slick pavement by late Sunday evening as light, spotty precipitation develops near key roadways including Interstate 90 and Route 33.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, a weak clipper system will move into the region Sunday night, bringing a 20 to 35 percent chance of light rain or snow after 8 p.m. Areas east of Lake Ontario, including Watertown and the Tug Hill region, face the highest probability of light snow, while communities south of Lake Ontario such as Buffalo, Rochester and Jamestown may see a brief rain-snow mix. A short period of freezing drizzle cannot be ruled out where surface temperatures hover near 32 degrees.
High temperatures Sunday will climb into the upper 30s to lower 40s south of Lake Ontario, including 41 degrees in Buffalo and near 40 in Rochester, before cooling after sunset. Any untreated bridges and overpasses along I-90, I-290, I-86 and I-81 could become slick overnight, especially where light snow accumulates.
Motorists should reduce speed late Sunday night, increase following distance and watch for rapidly changing visibility in lake-influenced areas. While widespread impacts are not expected, even minor precipitation can create isolated travel hazards during the late evening and early Monday morning commute.
Conditions improve by Monday morning as the system exits, but additional weak disturbances may bring periodic light precipitation through midweek.
