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Central New York is experiencing bitterly cold weather as an arctic air mass blankets the region. The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory, effective until 10 a.m. on Tuesday (January 20). Temperatures are expected to remain in the single digits and teens, with wind chills potentially dropping to between minus five and minus 20 degrees, making it crucial for residents to bundle up if venturing outside.
The cold snap is part of a broader weather pattern affecting much of the eastern United States. According to USA Today, the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast are all experiencing frigid conditions, with lake-effect snow contributing to hazardous travel conditions near the Great Lakes.
In Central New York, light lake-effect snow is expected to continue through Tuesday night, with minor accumulations predicted. A winter weather advisory remains in effect for northern Oneida County, where snow bands from Lake Ontario could bring an additional one to three inches of snow if they shift southward. The Syracuse metro area and northern Finger Lakes region may see occasional light snow showers or flurries, with accumulations generally limited to a dusting to half an inch, as reported by Syracuse.com.
Looking ahead, an even more intense blast of arctic air is expected to arrive on Friday (January 23), bringing temperatures well below zero through the weekend. High temperatures on Saturday are forecasted to struggle to reach the single digits, with some areas potentially experiencing lows as cold as 20 degrees below zero.
Forecasters are also monitoring the potential for a winter storm over the weekend, though the exact track remains uncertain. According to FingerLakes1.com, while heavy snowfall is expected to stay south of Central New York, light to moderate snow could still affect parts of the region.
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