Main items of note from observations upstream late afternoon into
this evening indicate overall theme of going forecast remains in
tact. Still looks like a bit more QPF occurs in the 06z-09z/1A-4A
time frame over the Southern Tier. Ptype remains a tough diagnostic
issue, mainly in terms of how far north mix will get over
western NY. Overall, seems warm layer is farther north than
expected in Ohio with CLE reporting FZRA as ptype most of the
evening, sometime as a mix or other times exclusively. Initial
signs of this into NY is the wintry mix that is moving across
Southern Tier currently ahead of schedule (see BFD reporting
FZRA now). Another more stout warm layer is expected to lift
across Southern Tier overnight and already introduced more
FZRA/PL or even just strictly FZRA to the forecast to account
for this. Still appears that cutoff for snow and sleet will stay
south of the Thruway, but it will be close. Period of most ice
would be after midnight, maximized along and south of Southern
Tier Expressway/I-86. Heaviest snow over western NY (snowfall
rates 0.5 to 1.0 inch per hour) occurs after 08z and runs through
14z, so the morning commute will be difficult for both BUF and
ROC metro areas.