How much snow did Rochester get in winter storm? The latest (2024)

Victoria E. Freile|Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

How much snow has the latest winter storm dumped in Rochester so far?

Inabout a 36-hour span, 11.2 inchesof snow fell at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport as of Friday afternoon.

Just over 10inches were on the ground at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport by 1 p.m. Friday. And the largest snowfall in western New York was 16.8 inches of snow measured at 10 a.m, in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, followed by 16.5 inches of snow tallied in Lockport, Niagara County.

For Wayne County residents, the snow isn't quite over yet. A winter weather advisory is in effect between 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday as lake effect snow is predicted to bring another 3 to 6 inches tothe area.

Schoolclosings in Rochester NY

As snowflakes fellThursday evening, numerous school districts throughout the region canceled Friday classes and after school activities. Students will receive the coveted Friday snow day, creatinga three-day weekend.

By Friday morning, most public and private schools in the Rochester region closed for the day due to the weather. Many day care centers also delayed Friday starts or closed for the day.

Monroe Community College canceled classes at all of its campuses for Friday, however online courses will take place as scheduled.

Closingsin Rochester NY due to the storm

The City of Rochester has closed all of its R-Centers, city branch libraries, the Central Library downtown and the Rochester Animal Services Center on Friday due to the winter storm.

Also, ice rinks atDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square and Genesee Valley Sports Complex as well as the Rochester Community Sports Complex will be closed.

Road conditions in Monroe County NY

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello on Thursday afternoon issued a "no unnecessary travel" advisory for the countyand urged residents to be careful if drivingon Thursday or Friday. The advisoryexpired at 6 a.m. Friday.

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, main roads in Monroe County are snow-covered but passable. Expect longer commutes times on Friday morning.

"Please drive carefully and give yourself plenty of time to arrive safely," an early morningnews release from Bello's office stated.

Timing for winter storm in Rochester NY

The snow started falling around midnight Thursday, dropping only tenths of an inch on the ground by daybreak, but with steady but light snow falling throughout the morning, the community felt much like a snow globe.

Snow intensity increased to a rate of a half-inch to and inch per hour late Thursday afternoon, Thomas said.

The heaviest snow fell Thursdayevening, between 4 p.m. and midnight, he said.The storm is a long-duration snow event with snow fall that is more manageable.

As of 4:30 a.m. Friday, most of the predicted snow was already on the ground, but another 1 to 3 inches of snow was expected to fall "as the event winds down,"Thomas said.

Some areas to the east of Rochester, including Wayne County, may see 2 to 3 inches of lake effect snow Friday night into Saturday, with some scattered snow showers expected throughout the Rochester region, he said. Little accumulation is expected from those flakes.

More storm-related coverage from Rochester NY

What is lake-effect snow? And why does Rochester get crazy amounts?
Here are the biggest snowstorms in Rochester history
Rochester ranked one of the best places to live during the winter. Here's why

Winter storm affects millions

The snow is part of a massive storm working its way across the nation, depositing snow, ice, rain and sleet in communities that span three time zones. More than90 million peoplewere under a winter weather alert Tuesday. Detroit declared a snow emergency.

"The storm is a marathon, not a sprint," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Justin Povick said.

Contact Victoria Freileat vfreile@gannett.com. Follow her onTwitter @vfreileand Instagram @vfreile.This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

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