How much snow did we get in Rochester NY (2024)

Awinter storm warning issued for Monday night into Tuesday morning has been canceled by the National Weather Service.

Forecasters predicted7to 14 inches of possible snow accumulation. While totalsvaried around Monroe County, with 12 inches tallied in Hilton and nearly 4 inches measured in Fairport, the official Rochester snowfall was 4.5 inches,recordedat the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.

Phillip Pandolfo, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Buffalo, said totals were lower than predictedbecause a warmair mass pushed farther northwest thananticipated, turningsome of the precipitation into freezing rain and sleet.

Another storm system is expected to move into the greater Rochester area late Thursday night and persist into Friday, possibly bringing an additional 6to 8inches of snow, Pandolfo said. There is still uncertainty around its timing and intensity, "but we're keeping a close eye on it," he said.

Conditions on Wednesday should be mostly quiet and dry, he said.

Winter storm warning lifted

The Weather Servicecanceled the winter storm warning that covered much ofwestern New York, including the Rochester region, around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. The Weather Service saidto expect light snow and freezing drizzle to continue through noon.

Roads mayhavea coating of snow or a light glaze continuing to make for slippery travelTuesday, according to the Weather Service.

Storm-related cancellations

Numerous businesses around the Rochester region have delayed or canceled events on Tuesdaydue to the storm. Among them, Monroe Community College and Finger Lakes Community College bothcanceled all classes, events and activities scheduled for Tuesday.

Some flights scheduled toarriveand depart from the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport on Tuesday were also canceled or delayed. Most of those flights are between Rochester and airport hubs in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Newark, N.J.

If traveling, check with your airline carrier before heading to the airport.

Some COVID-19 vaccinations and testing appointments were also canceled due to the weather.

COVID-19 rapid testing sites at Temple B'rithKodesh in Brightonand at the Wilson Foundation have beencanceled Tuesdaydue to wintry weather, city and county officials announced Tuesday morning. (Residents with appointments will be able to go to other sites later this week.) The county also rescheduled all vaccination appointments previously set to take place at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center and the Monroe County Fleet Center.

The George Eastman Museum in Rochester also closed Tuesday due to the weather.

Snowfall totals

How much snow did we get in Rochester NY (1)

Approximately 4.5 inches of snow fell by 7a.m. Tuesday at the Greater Rochester International Airport, according to the Weather Service. At that time, some light snow was still falling in the Rochester region, said Weather Service meteorologist Dan Kelly.

Snow is expected to pause, but resume later in the morning with another inch or two expected, he said.

He said 3.8 inches of snow was on the groundin Honeoye Falls, 8.7 inches was on the ground in Le Roy, Genesee County, 7.1 inches in Medina, Orleans County, and5 inches of snow was tallied in Lima, Livingston County.

Kelly said that areas west of Rochester saw heavier snowfall overnight, with 5.9 inches recorded at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Erie County at 7 a.m. and 7 inches in Tonawanda.Spotters reported 10inches of snow in Niagara Falls and 8 inches in Lockport, both in Niagara County.

How much snow did we get in Rochester NY (2)

All county vax appointments for Tuesday rescheduled due to storm

The county is rescheduling all vaccination appointments for Tuesday February16 in anticipation of disrupted travel, due to a heavy winter storm movinginto the area Monday night.

The rescheduling affects all appointments at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center and the County Fleet Center.

COVID vaccination appointments at Rochester Riverside Convention Center on Tuesday February 16, will now be on Wednesday February 17 at the same location and same appointment time,the county advises.

Anyone scheduled for a COVID-19 Vaccination at the Fleet Center on Tuesday February 16, your appointment will now be on Thursday February 18 at same location and same appointment time.

Contact the Monroe County Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 hotline at (585) 753-5555 oror emailCOVID19@monroecounty.gov if you have questions.

Don't drive off until you go through this checklist

Driving anywhere in the cold weather and winter months requires special considerations. We spoke with Elizabeth Carey from AAA Western and Central New York to find out her best tips for winter weather traveling.

Test your car's battery

Nothing’s worse than the car not starting when everyone’s ready to go. If your engine’s slow to start, the lights dim when starting, or the car battery’s simply old, you may need a new one. Most car batteries last three to five years, so if your battery is more than three years old, get it checked before a cold weather road trip. A mechanic can easily test the battery and charging system. Make sure the battery terminals and cable ends are free from corrosion and the connections are tight. Finally, make sure you have jumper cables on hand and know how to use them.

Check your lights

It gets dark early on a winter road trip, so be sure that your headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signalsand emergency flashers are all working. Replace any burnt-out bulbs before hitting the road, and throw in a working flashlight in your glove compartment while you’re at it.

Measure air pressure in your tires

Tires are probably the single most important part of safe winter driving. Make sure all four tires have the proper tread for the best traction while driving in potentially snowy conditions. If you live in (or are heading to) an area with heavy winter weather, snow tires will provide the best traction. Regular, all-season tires work well in light to moderate snow conditions, too, provided they have enough tread.

How much snow did we get in Rochester NY (3)

AAA recommends replacing any tire whose tread is worn to 2/32 of an inch or less. One way to tell is to place a penny in the tread; if you see all of Lincoln’s head, the tire needs to be replaced. Don’t forget to make sure your tires are properly inflated, too. As the temperature drops, so does the tire pressure, typically one PSI for every 10 degrees. Underinflated tires can affect braking distance, steering, and handling. Look for the proper tire pressure in your owner’s manual or the tire information sticker in the driver’s door jamb.

Check your wiper blades and fluid levels

Make sure your wiper blades can clear your windshield, and replace any blade that leaves streaks or misses spots. Fill-up the windshield washer reservoir with fluid that won’t freeze when the temperature drops. Winter deicer fluids are formulated to prevent the solution from freezing, and also contains chemicals that melt ice and frost. Don’t forget the engine coolant/antifreeze when checking fluid levels as well. Antifreeze lowers the freezing point of the engine’s liquid coolant system preventing the car from overheating.

Pack your winter gear, but don’t wear it while driving

Make sure you have coats, scarves, gloves, bootsand hats with you, but keep them separate while driving. The bulky coats limit arm movements, gloves decrease sensing steering wheel feedback, and large boots can interfere with the pedals. For infants in child seats, those puffy winter coats can cause car seat restraints to not fit securely. Pack the winter gear close at hand, but save the layers for the outdoors.

Stock an emergency kit

Don’t leave home without a proper car emergency kit that includes some basic items like a first aid kit, snacks (for both humans and any pets), ice scraper with brush, basic tools (screwdrivers, pliers, wrench), warning flares, cloths or paper towels, some drinking water, and an emergency blanket in case you find yourself stranded in some bad winter weather.

Keep emergency numbers handy

Make sure you have important phone numbers for emergency services programmed into your mobile device, and don’t forget to bring a car charger for your phone or tablet as well.

Pack a shovel and sand (grit)

If you get stuck in the snow (or plowed in), you’ll be glad you packed a small shovel to dig yourself out. A bag of some sort of grit (sand, salt, cat litter) will help your tires grab on icy surfaces as well as give some extra weight in the back of the car.

Contributors: The USA Today Network

Contact reporter Brian Sharp at bdsharp@gannett.comor at 585-258-2275. Follow him onTwitter @sharproc.This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

How much snow did we get in Rochester NY (2024)
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