Buffalo, NY — To say the weather will be extremely variable over the next few days is an understatement. Not only will we see large temperature swings day to day, but also mile to mile.
Relatively mild weather is expected Friday with lots of clouds and a few showers, but nothing more than a nuisance. Highs Friday will be much warmer in the Southern Tier with highs in the 60s. Downtown Buffalo will likely stay in the mid 50s.
The weather really gets interesting on Saturday as a warm front straddles the Southern Tier leaving cold air to the north of the front in warm air to the south. For example in the afternoon, temperatures may only be in the 30s in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area, but in the Southern Tier south into Northern Pennsylvania, temperatures will be in the upper 50s and low 60s.
As moisture moves up from the southeast and runs into the cold air, expect a chilly rain on Saturday turning to some freezing rain Saturday afternoon into early Sunday. Up to .5" of ice accumulation is possible along the Thruway from Buffalo towards Batavia. Minor ice accumulation is possible anywhere north of the Southern Tier Expressway. Significant travel delays and power outages are possible.
Temperatures begin to warm back up on Sunday with highs in the mid-upper 40s, however there will be a soaking rain that takes us into Monday. Between Saturday and Monday 1" to 3" of rainfall may cause some local flooding concerns.
Temperatures will cool on Monday, enough so that the rain could mix with some snow showers Monday night into Tuesday. Speaking of Tuesday, highs will only be in the 30s.