Winter Weather Advisories have been posted for the Capital Region and vicinity through early Tuesday morning. An approaching warm front will bring light precipitation to the region today. Initially, snowfall will predominate as the precipitation type, thanks to abundant cold air that is currently in place over the region. However, warmer air will begin to infiltrate the mid levels of the atmosphere through the day today, causing the snowfall and/or ice (sleet) to melt as it falls through that warmer layer. Thus, the threat for more of wintry mix of sleet and/or freezing rain/drizzle looks more likely later this afternoon and early this evening. Temperatures will be right around the freezing mark this evening, and may pop a degree or two above freezing overnight, causing precipitation to change to all liquid rain or drizzle for the conclusion of the storm late tonight. Travelers should remain cautious today, as roads will likely become a bit slippery at times this afternoon and evening with snow and/or ice accumulation.
High pressure will build into the region for Tuesday, bringing a break to the turbulent weather. This will be short lived though as another warm front looks to pass through the region during the evening hours on Tuesday. Upon passage, the front looks to get held up north of the region and a wave of low pressure looks to form along it Wednesday morning. Despite this, winds at the surface are forecast to shift to the south and southwest, bringing some unseasonable warmth to the region on Wednesday, along with periods of rain and showers as a cold front approaches late in the day. The record high for Albany on Wednesday is 54 degrees.
A return to chiller, more winter-like conditions is forecast behind the cold frontal passage to close out the work week. More seasonable temperatures, and a brisk northwesterly breeze, will remind those in the Capital Region that it is still, very much, winter.
...Below is the official forecast for the Capital Region and vicinity...
Today: Increasing clouds with light snow developing late in the morning. Snow may mix with, or change over to, sleet and/or freezing rain this afternoon. High in the lower 30's. Southerly winds 5-10 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Snowfall accumulations of an inch or two, along with minor ice accretion, is possible.
Tonight: Areas of freezing rain and/or drizzle becoming just plain drizzle before tapering off late at night. Early low near 30, with temperatures remaining steady or slowly rising late at night. Light southerly winds. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Additional minor ice accretion is possible.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 40-45. Light southerly winds.
Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds with a chance of light rain. Low in the upper 30's. South winds 5-10 MPH. Chance of rain is 60 percent.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, breezy, and unseasonably mild with periods of rain and showers. HIgh in the lower 50's. Southwest winds 10-20 MPH with some higher gusts possible at times.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy and windy with a 40 percent chance of rain and showers. High near 40 and low near 20.
Friday: Partly sunny, breezy, and chilly. High near 30 and low near 15.
Saturday: Partly sunny, breezy, and chilly. High near 30 and low near 15.
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