Lake Effect Snow, It is Now Rochester's Turn

Written by: Brian Neudorff/Scott Hetsko

UPDATE: Snow will begin to increase off Lake Ontario after 10 p.m. tonight. If you have any updates please email them to weather@rochesterhomepage.net or also follow us on twitter @StormWatch8_wx

Over the last few weeks, we have watched surrounding areas get a taste of winter with snow sticking to the ground while others of us, would see a few flakes and just be cold. This week it looks like the rest of us finally get to see our first sticking snow of the season.

Cold air arrived aver the weekend and another reinforcing shot of cold air will invade western New York late in the day Monday. This will cause our winds to shift from westerly to northwesterly setting up multiple snow bands to form south and southeast of Lake Ontario. The National Weather Service has already issued a lake effect snow advisory for Monroe county, including the city of Rochester, Wayne, Cayuga, & Ontario counties until 7pm Monday evening. If the snow bands continue to become widespread as it is forecasted then the NWS may extend the advisory into Monday night. Amounts could range from 2 to 6 inches in the advisory areas with higher amounts into Wayne and Cayuga county into Tuesday morning.

The timing of the snow is what makes it a challenge. Snow bands could start to form and be heavy in spots just in time for the afternoon & evening commute. Remember and think about how to drive during winter conditions and watch your speeds. With heavy snow roads can get slick very fast and visibilities can drop below a mile in matter of seconds. Be careful and keep it tuned in to News 8 as the StormWatch weather team monitors the changing weather conditions.