ALBANY, NY — The gray skies over the Capital Region tell the story of a new winter pulse moving in. Flurries drift across rooftops and highways early today as a quick-moving system slides through upstate New York, bringing the first true chill of December and a chance for snow showers through the afternoon.
The National Weather Service in Albany expects on-and-off snow showers mainly between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with winds gusting up to 30 mph and highs near 33°F. Accumulations should remain light — less than one-half inch — but that’s enough to create slick patches and limited visibility on I-87, I-90, and Route 9 during the evening commute.
Behind the snow, cold, dry air sweeps in, pushing Friday morning lows into the teens and keeping daytime highs near 24°F. Wind chills could dip into the single digits, especially across the hill towns and valleys east of Albany. Drivers and pedestrians should watch for black ice, particularly in shaded and untreated areas.
The weekend stays cold but calm, with partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid-30s Saturday and Sunday. Looking farther ahead, early models show another system possible by mid-next week, signaling a more active Dec 11–17 pattern across the Great Lakes and Northeast — prime time for pre-holiday travel challenges.
Five-Day Outlook (Albany & Rensselaer, NY)
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high 24°F.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 34°F.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, high 34°F.
- Monday: Partly cloudy, high 27°F.
- Tuesday: Chance snow, high 28°F.
