First Alert Weather: Weather will once again become a challenge for second half of week

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Today will make eleven days in a row with below average temperatures for Rochester.

In fact, the month of January produced five days of sub-zero temperatures (including -7 degrees early this morning). However, it was nice to see the sunshine today! And it looks like a pleasant end to the month of January and a nice start to February. Unfortunately, the tranquil weather will not last for Western New York.

A ridge of high pressure has moved across the eastern great lakes and that has brought dry, cold and crisp mid-winter weather. In the next couple of days, that high-pressure system will slowly slide east of Rochester and that will bring fair weather and eventually moderation to the temperature. Tonight, look for patchy clouds and a low in the single digits. Monday will feature more sunshine and it will turn a little milder with the high temperature near 30 degrees. The pleasant weather will continue into Tuesday with partial sunshine. It will turn breezy and noticeably warmer with the high temperature near 40 degrees.

Wednesday will start mild with the temperature near 40 degrees for the early morning. However, a cold front will cross Western New York as the temperature lowers into the 30s. This cold front will stall across central Pennsylvania and eastern New York State with several low-pressure systems rotating along the front. The News10 NBC First Alert Meteorologists expect rain showers to slowly change to wet snow showers late in the day. As the cold air deepens into Thursday, a steady area-wide snowfall will develop with significant accumulation possible for Thursday and Thursday night. There is still some uncertainty on the exact position of the front and that will be a determining factor for the eventual snow totals. As result, News10NBC First Alert has issued a yellow alert for Thursday for the potential of this storm.

Lake snow will likely continue into Friday with a return to bitter cold weather. By the end of the week, the temperature will likely be stuck in the teens during the daylight hours and falling into the single digits or near zero for overnight.

Stay tuned to News10NBC for the latest on this storm with frequent updates through the week.