If you live in Central New York, you know the drill. You wake up, look at the gray sky, and wonder if today is the day your driveway becomes a permanent part of a glacier. Honestly, the syracuse 14 day forecast is basically a survival guide this time of year.
Right now, it is freezing. Seriously. As of January 15, 2026, the temperature in Syracuse is sitting at a crisp 19°F, but with that west wind hitting at 13 mph, it actually feels like 5°F. If you’re heading out, that's not just "chilly"—it’s "bundle up until you can’t move your arms" cold.
The Immediate Outlook: Shovels at the Ready
We’re currently in the middle of a Winter Weather Advisory that’s sticking around until Friday afternoon. If you’ve been looking at the maps, the National Weather Service is calling for total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches across Onondaga County.
Today, Thursday, January 15, we’re topping out at 28°F with a low of 12°F. You’ve got a 35% chance of snow showers throughout the day and night. It’s that light, annoying stuff that makes the roads just greasy enough to be a pain.
Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, looks like a repeat performance. We’re hitting 28°F again. Expect snow during the day (25% chance) and then just mostly cloudy skies at night with a low of 15°F. It’s basically standard Syracuse winter vibes.
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Why the syracuse 14 day forecast Gets Weird
The weekend is where things start to get interesting. Saturday, January 17, is going to feel like a heatwave—relatively speaking. We are looking at a high of 37°F.
Wait, don't put away the boots yet.
That "warmth" comes with a 45% chance of snow. When it’s 37°F and snowing, you get that heavy, wet slush that ruins your socks. By Sunday, the temperature drops back down to a high of 24°F and a low of 17°F under cloudy skies.
Looking Toward Next Week: The Big Dip
If you’re planning your week, Monday, January 19, brings light snow and a high of 26°F. But keep an eye on Tuesday, January 20. That is going to be a brutal one.
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We’re looking at a high of only 13°F and a low of 6°F.
Honestly, Tuesday might be the coldest day of the winter so far. When the mercury stays in the teens during the day, the lake effect machine usually starts cranking. Even though the forecast says only a 20% chance of snow showers, that west wind can turn a clear afternoon into a whiteout in about ten minutes.
The Second Week: January 21 - January 28
The middle of next week sees a slight recovery.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: High of 27°F, low of 10°F. More snow showers.
- Thursday, Jan 22: Partly sunny (a rare treat!) with a high of 27°F.
- Friday, Jan 23: Up to 35°F, but the snow showers return.
- Sunday, Jan 25: A massive crash back down to a high of 9°F and a low of 2°F.
That Sunday forecast is particularly nasty because the night-time precipitation chance jumps to 70%. If we get significant snow when it’s 2°F, it’s going to be that fine, powdery stuff that drifts like crazy.
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Understanding the Syracuse Snow Machine
People always ask why our forecast changes so much. It’s the lake. Lake Ontario is still relatively wide open, and with this being a La Niña year, the patterns are shifted. Historically, three out of the five snowiest winters in Syracuse have happened during La Niña events.
The current 14-day window shows exactly that: constant fluctuations between "mild" 30s and sub-zero "arctic" air.
Pro-Tips for Surviving the Next Fortnight
- Watch the Wind: On the 19th and 23rd, winds are hitting 15-17 mph. That’s when the blowing snow makes the Northway and I-81 a nightmare.
- The Slush Factor: Saturday the 17th is your prime day for slush. Salt your walks before the Friday night freeze to keep that layer of ice from bonding to the concrete.
- The Cold Snap: For that Sunday the 25th deep freeze (2°F low), make sure your car battery is healthy. Batteries hate those single-digit nights.
Basically, the syracuse 14 day forecast tells us one thing: winter is finally here in earnest. We’ve got a mix of lake effect, standard systems, and a couple of "stay inside and drink cocoa" days.
Stay warm, keep the tank at least half full so your gas lines don't freeze, and maybe keep an extra scraper in the trunk. You’re gonna need it.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your tire pressure today; a 20-degree drop in temperature can significantly deflate your tires, which is the last thing you want before the icy commutes on Monday and Tuesday. If you haven't swapped your wiper fluid for a -20°F rated de-icer, do it before the Sunday night freeze.