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Winter Storm Warning this weekend

Denise Young
/
WXXI

Some rugged winter conditions are expected for much of western New York and the Finger Lakes heading into the weekend, and lasting into the first part of next week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warningfor all of the region from 1pm on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday.

News 8 meteorologist Josh Nichols is expecting an area-wide light snow to develop by Saturday afternoon that will grow steadier and heavier into the night, with blustery conditions.

He says periods of wind driven snow will continue on Sunday particularly into the morning, and snow will continue at varying intensities into Sunday night. Storm totals of at least a foot in Rochester are forecast with higher amounts in the Finger Lakes, and there will be blowing and drifting of the snow as well.

The high on Sunday will be 14 degrees. Monday will see more lake effect snow with a few inches likely from the Thruway north, and a high of only 7 degrees.

Karen St. Aubin, the Rochester’s Director of Operations, says the city crews are ready to keep the roads open, and they have more than 150 vehicles to help with that. She says it takes about four hours to plow all of the main roads in the city. She urged drivers to stay off the roads if possible.

“If you don’t need to be on the road, first of all, stay off the road and let us do our job,” she said. “If you do need to be on the road, drive carefully. Drive for conditions," St. Aubin said.

The State Transportation Department will also be out 24/7 to keep highways clear. 

The high temperature on Monday is expected to only be around 14 degrees, not counting any possible wind chill factor.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.