As I write this, a snowstorm of epic proportions is barreling its way up the eastern seaboard. We will get a significant chunk of this snow– and it will be mostly snow. Models are calling for the snowstorm to stay near the NY/PA line, but I think they’re overestimating the strength of an inverted ridge to our north. Models tend to do that. So, I think it will take a more northeasterly track, putting Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties in the storm’s path. Snow should start Friday night. This won’t have epic effects on us, though: a few inches of snowfall is pretty much all we can expect from this. The bulk of snow will fall over the Pennsylvania region. As the core of the high pressure moves in over the course of Saturday, it will effectively push the snow off to the east and out of the area. Lake Erie is 75% covered in ice, making lake effect snow much less of a threat. Once the snow clears, we should have a decent, if slightly colder than average, weekend.

Friday: Snow, progressing from south to north over the course of Friday afternoon. High around 30. Snow continues Friday night. Variable winds.

Saturday: Snow continues up until the afternoon. Early lows in the low teens. Highs in the mid-20s. Mostly clear skies on Saturday night. Variable winds shifting northwest.

Sunday: A cold start, with early morning lows in the single digits. High temperature about 20. Northwest winds.