Cold March Day, Snow Flurries and a Quick Warm‑Up

Central New York is in for a chilly weekend. A cold air mass keeps temperatures far below normal, with highs only reaching the mid‑30s even though Friday looks sunny. Overnight lows slide into the teens and low 20s, and wind chills drop to single digits or low teens by Saturday morning as winds pick up. Two weak systems will roll in late Friday night, sparking scattered lake‑effect snow showers and flurries across parts of the region through Saturday night. The total snowfall will be light, from a dusting to about half an inch in most areas. The Tug‑Hill area may see up to an inch, especially Saturday morning and evening when lake‑effect conditions are best. Saturday stays cold with highs stuck in the mid‑30s, roughly 15 degrees below March averages. Overnight lows again fall into the teens and low 20s.Sunday brings relief as southwest winds push the cold air northward. Clouds may block some sunshine, but temperatures rise to around 50 degrees with no rain expected, making for a pleasant day. Early next week, high pressure will move out to sea and spring‑like conditions return. Monday’s forecast is uncertain; some models predict a weak disturbance that could bring showers, while others see dry weather. Tuesday looks more certain for rain as a low‑pressure system passes over the upper Midwest, followed by a cold front that will bring widespread showers and possibly thunderstorms. Behind this front the weather should be milder than recent cold fronts. The National Weather Service will keep an eye on rivers and streams for possible rises later in the week, with any crests likely occurring after the current forecast period.