First Alert Forecast: Calm weather now, but a Yellow Alert is posted for Friday and Saturday

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The News 10NBC First Alert meteorologists continue to track a developing storm that is now located over the Pacific Northwest of the United States.  This storm will move east and intensify rapidly by the middle of the week.  Latest computer modeling data shows that this will turn out to be a large, powerful storm that will move through the Central Great Lakes producing blizzard-like conditions near Chicago by Thursday and Friday.  Initially, Rochester will be on the warm side of the storm which will bring some mixed precipitation for us Thursday and early Friday.  But as a cold front passes later Friday and a rapid drop in the temperature is expected with the potential for a flash freeze and a change to snow late Friday.  In addition, strong winds will likely develop for Western New York on Friday night and Saturday.  The combination of wind and bitter cold will make for some very harsh conditions heading into Christmas weekend.

Tonight look for some passing Lake Ontario flurries and snow showers.  Most areas will see less than an inch, but 1 to 2 inches is possible in Wayne County.  The low temperature will be in the middle 20s.  Tuesday will bring any lingering flurries to an end and skies may brighten for the afternoon.  The high temperature will be near 33 degrees.  Wednesday expect a mix of clouds and sunshine, with the high temperature in the upper 30s. 

Thursday and early Friday will bring a mix of rain and wet snow showers.  The high temperature will be near 40 on Thursday and even close to 50 by early Friday.  However, the temperature will fall rapidly on Friday with the mercury ending up in the 20s by the end of the day.  This means that any mix will change to all snow with accumulation likely Friday night.  Winds will increase with blowing and drifting snow into Saturday.  It will turn bitterly cold on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as the temperature will remain near 20 degrees.  As a result, News 10NBC First Alert weather team has posted a yellow alert for later Friday and Saturday.

Stay Tuned to News 10NBC First Alert for updates on the forecast.