Cold days ahead

School Forecast
for Wednesday January 17th
Last updated: 9:45PM Tuesday January 16, 2024

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9:45PM Tuesday Update

Quick update to note that 2 to 3 inches of snow fell across Ulster County between 4AM and 4PM today. 2.4 inches was reported in Esopus, which is the closest report to Kingston. With temperatures having topped out in the mid-20s today, the snow was very light and powdery. Temperatures tonight will dip down to near 10 degrees with tomorrow afternoon remaining in the 20s.

Currently, slick roads persist throughout the region. Roads were slippery enough to prompt the City of Kingston to make a cautionary post on Facebook about two hours ago for those who must travel tonight. Slick conditions across the region have prompted several local school districts to already issued delays for tomorrow. It is not common for snowfall of less than three inches ending in the afternoon to result in a delay the following day, but with temperatures well below freezing it is possible for more districts to issue delays in the morning.

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6:30AM Monday Update

A storm system currently moving through the deep south will bring accumulating snow to New York tomorrow. This will result in a snowy start to this holiday week and impact travel on Tuesday.

The Forecast:
Storm approaching from the south will produce snow late tonight. Currently expecting light snow to develop before sunrise Tuesday - mostly likely by about 3AM. Light snow throughout the day is expected before tapering off by about 3PM Tuesday. One to three inches of snow is likely. Behind the storm, calm weather will move in for Wednesday and Thursday. A Second storm may approach the region on Friday, which could produce some additional snow later in the week. Temperatures this week will be pretty typical for this time of year with afternoon highs reaching the upper 20s and overnight lows in the teens.

The Impacts:
The main weather impacts for this week will be with Tuesday's storm. Temperatures tonight and Tuesday will be in the 20s. This means that any snow that falls will have no trouble sticking to all surfaces including roads. The timing of this storm is also conducive to travel impacts. With snow expected to begin before sunrise, there is likely to be a coating by 5AM which will impact the Tuesday morning commute. Travel on roads will be possible, but they will be slick and hazardous from powdery snow. Slick roads are likely to persist into the evening. For these reasons, it is most likely that local schools issue cancellations; any schools that do not cancel are likely to dismiss early. There is about a 10% chance that schools do not cancel or dismiss early.

Next Update:
Tuesday

-Ethan