A dense fog advisory is in effect across much of upstate New York through 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Dense fog advisory in effect
The advisory covers the following counties:
Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany.
Visibility could drop to as low as a quarter-mile at times, creating hazardous driving conditions.
Fog may improve later Tuesday afternoon and evening before redeveloping overnight, forecasters said.
Drivers are urged to slow down, use headlights and leave extra distance between vehicles.
Mild Tuesday before changes arrive
Tuesday will feel mild and calm across western and central New York.
Highs are expected to reach around 40 degrees in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse before a storm system moves in early Wednesday.
Tuesday’s high reached 47 degrees in Rochester, 44 in Syracuse and 41 in Buffalo — well above the typical mid-February average in the mid-30s. While not near daily records, the warmer air is a sharp contrast from the recent stretch of subzero wind chills.
Freezing rain possible Wednesday morning
Freezing rain is possible Wednesday morning along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline before switching to sleet and then rain by midday, said Weather Service meteorologist David Thomas.
South of the New York State Thruway, precipitation is expected to fall mainly as rain.
Meanwhile, 1 to 3 inches of snow could fall east of Lake Ontario, including Jefferson County.
Some areas could see up to a tenth of an inch of ice. Untreated roads may become slick, especially during the morning commute.
Forecasters say there is a threat for accumulating snow or a wintry mix from the southern Lake Ontario shoreline through the northern Finger Lakes and into the North Country late Tuesday night through Wednesday night. Forecast confidence remains low to moderate regarding the exact placement and amount of freezing rain.
Colder air is expected to settle back in after the system moves through.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dense fog advisory issued in upstate NY; freezing rain possible next
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
