Here we go!
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
...COLD WEATHER AND SIGNIFICANT LAKE EFFECT SNOWS POSSIBLE INTO NEXT
WEEK...
Low pressure will weaken as it gradually gets absorbed by longwave
trough across Canada. 850 mb temperatures will drop to around -16c
behind the front Friday night resulting in lake induced instability.
Meanwhile shortwave will provide ample moisture to support a period
of moderate to heavy lake effect snow northeast of the lakes Friday
night. This shortwave will exit into New England Saturday, with lake
snow expected to taper off Saturday afternoon and evening. This has
the potential produce several inches of snow or more, with advisory
or even warning amounts possible. Time will be a limiting factor
since the moisture provided by the shortwave will be temporary.
Slightly warmer air aloft, diminishing synoptic moisture, and
increasing shear will cause lake effect snows to diminish Saturday
night.
The core of arctic air will drop across Western Ontario province on
Sunday. As its associated trough axis dives across the Great Lakes,
a surface low will pass to our south, with some model disagreement
on its track and strength. This could bring a light general snow on
Sunday, but in its wake it definitely will be colder heading into
next week. GFS/GGEM both drop 850mb temperatures to around -25c,
with the `warmer` ECMWF down to around -20c. This supports highs in
the teens for Monday and Tuesday, and even that may be optimistic in
some areas if the colder guidance verifies. Bitterly cold wind
chills can also be expected.
In addition to the cold, this will establish a pattern favorable for
lake effect snow. Wind direction and moisture will be key, and its
too far out to pin down the details. In general, a prevailing WSW
flow will place the traditional snow belts east of the lakes at the
greatest risk. However, bands will meander, with the potential to
impact the cities of Buffalo and Watertown at times. The WSW flow
will diminish the risk for heavy snow for counties immediately south
of Lake Ontario, including the Rochester area.