Capital Weather Gang: Wet Day Ahead, Rain Turning to Snow Showers Tonight

The capital weather gang briefing highlights a milder, breezy and very wet day for Rochester, with rain through the morning, a temporary afternoon break and a cold front expected to push rain back into the region and change it to snow later this evening — snow that will persist through the weekend and produce only modest accumulations.

Capital Weather Gang: Rochester forecast details

Expect rain to dominate the morning hours, with gusty conditions. Temperatures will climb into the 40s during the afternoon before a cold front arrives and drags readings back into the 30s. Rain showers are forecast to transition to snow showers later this evening and continue into the weekend.

Timing and temperature impacts

The day’s primary impacts are driven by the timing of the cold front. A break in precipitation is likely in the afternoon as temperatures reach the 40s, but the front will bring another round of precipitation and a notable temperature drop into the 30s. That changeover is what will allow rain showers to become snow showers tonight.

Weekend snow and expected totals

Snow showers are expected to linger through Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s highs should peak in the low 30s while Sunday remains cold with additional snow showers. Overall accumulation across Rochester and the Finger Lakes region is modest: forecasts point to about 1–3 inches by the end of the weekend. Nothing intense is expected.

Nor'easter influence and short-term outlook

A nearby nor'easter will remain offshore and will not directly impact the region, but its presence will help support the formation of the snow showers over the area. Because the system is not making a direct landfall, heavier, widespread snowfall is unlikely. If the offshore storm stays distant, the primary effect will be periodic snow showers rather than a single significant snow event.

Late-week recovery and next steps

Colder conditions and some A. M. snow are expected on Monday, followed by a gradual warming trend: temperatures should slowly rise back to average and then above average through the second half of the workweek. Residents should plan for wet and breezy travel this morning, a brief milder afternoon, then a switch to wintry showers tonight into the weekend. For real-time updates and any adjustments to totals or timing, stay tuned for further forecast bulletins.

• Morning: rain and breezy conditions.
• Afternoon: brief break; highs into the 40s.
• Evening through weekend: rain changes to snow; 1–3 inches expected.