02/12/2025: Snow to Icy Mix Tonight-Thursday Morning

The Latest Storm Tracker Forecast from Meteorologists Matt Mackie and Kevin Appleby:

Quiet and cool weather takes us into Wednesday evening, but a wave of low pressure will bring scattered snow showers to the region this evening. As warmer air works in aloft, a transition to sleet and freezing rain is expected, suppressing snow accumulations but keeping things on the icy side through the Thursday morning commute. After lake-effect snow showers Friday, another storm looks to bring wintry weather to the area Saturday and Sunday.

Clearer skies overnight and to start Wednesday allowed temperatures to once again drop to near 0 up north, but a system sliding by to our south supplied a blanket of cloud cover to southern areas, keeping overnight temps in the 20s. Regardless of where you find yourself, we will all turn mostly cloudy this afternoon - but remain dry until this evening. High temperatures will range in the 20s to near 30 degrees.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the entire viewing area for icing potential into Thursday morning. Yes, there will be some snow accumulation, but most won't even get 2 inches of it. Despite the lower totals, the freezing rain/drizzle potential is enough to create slick and slippery conditions for the Thursday morning commute.

Scattered snow showers will move in from the west this evening. Most areas will end up seeing snow, just not very much of it! Prior to daybreak Thursday, warmer air aloft will already be moving in, supporting sleet and pockets freezing rain/drizzle south of the Mohawk Valley. Up to the north, cold air will remain in place long enough to support minor accumulations.

Temperatures won't drop nearly as much as they have in recent nights thanks to the precip and cloud cover, perhaps dropping 3 to 5 degrees from Wednesday's high temperatures.

Scattered rain and ice will taper for the afternoon hours after a messy morning.

Snow accumulations, for most, will be very minimal, but a select few in the mountains - especially the Greens and the Adirondacks - may see up to 4 inches of accumulation. The bigger concern is for ice. While amounts look low, you don't need a ton of ice to create major issues - especially on bridges and overpasses.

A combination of some sunshine and a southerly breeze may briefly boost temperatures close to 40! However, a cold front will quickly knock us back to winter Thursday night.

Valentine's Day will feature lake-effect snow showers and flurries, with little to no accumulation on tap for most. Highs will be in the 20s, but a breeze will keep wind chills in the teens or lower from start to finish. Meanwhile, with less wind on Saturday, temperatures try to reach 30 degrees, but widespread snow will be developing before or just after noon time.

With the given active pattern we are in, storm strength and track are a huge player in determining how much of and what type of precipitation we get, and for how long. Right now, the favored solution is for a period of wet snow Saturday afternoon and evening. with a gradual transition to wintry mix and plain old rain Sunday.

Accumulation potential is greater for this particular storm compared to tonight's storm, but it's still too soon for exact amounts. Stick with us over the coming days as we iron out those details. Another blast of arctic air - in a winter with no shortage of them - looks to grab ahold of the viewing area for the start of the upcoming work week - highs in the teens to near 20, windy conditions supporting wind chill values some 10-20 degrees lower than the actual air temps, and lake-effect snow showers and flurries. Don't let tomorrow's 40 degree high temperature fool you - winter is still in control!