Honestly, if you've lived in Central New York for more than five minutes, you know the drill. You check the 7 day weather syracuse ny forecast, see a snowflake icon, and immediately start wondering if you need to dig out the heavy-duty shovel or if a light broom will do.
Right now, it’s Friday, January 16, 2026, and Syracuse is basically doing exactly what Syracuse does in the dead of winter. It's cloudy. It's 24°F. It feels like 18°F because the wind is kicking up at about 6 mph from the southwest. We're currently sitting under a Winter Weather Advisory that’s supposed to wrap up around 1:00 PM, but don't let that fool you into thinking the "fun" is over.
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The Week Ahead: A Wild Ride of Single Digits and Squalls
Looking at the next week, we’re essentially living in a snow globe that someone keeps shaking. Friday is hitting a high of 29°F, which sounds almost tropical compared to what’s coming. Tonight, expect those temperatures to dip down to 16°F with some snow showers moving in after midnight.
Saturday, January 17, is actually the "warm" spot of the week. We’re looking at a high of 37°F. That’s high enough to turn some of this stuff into a slushy mess, but with a 35% chance of snow showers during the day and night, it’s not exactly beach weather.
Things start to get real on Monday, January 19. It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and while the high is 23°F, the wind is going to be the real story. We're looking at southwest winds hitting 19 mph. That’s going to make that "light snow" feel a lot more aggressive than it actually is.
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Why Tuesday Might Be the Coldest Day Yet
If you’re planning on heading out Tuesday, January 20, maybe... don't? Or at least wear three pairs of socks. We are looking at a high of only 15°F and a low of 9°F. This is that "hurts your face" kind of cold. Meteorologists like Drew Montreuil have been pointing out that this could be the coldest day of the winter so far.
The wind is staying steady at 16 mph, so the wind chill is going to be brutal. We’ve got a 20% chance of snow, which isn't much, but in Syracuse, a 20% chance can still mean you’re brushing two inches off your windshield.
The Mid-Week Shuffle
By Wednesday, January 21, the mercury "climbs" back up to 26°F. It’s still going to be grey—cloudy with snow showers likely both day and night. The chance of precipitation holds steady at about 25%.
Thursday, January 22, follows suit with a high of 22°F. The wind finally dies down a bit to 4 mph from the northwest, which should make the air feel slightly less like a personal attack.
The Local Impact: Schools and Slush
It’s not just about whether you need a coat. This weather is already messing with local schedules. The Fayetteville-Manlius School District has already used three of its four emergency closure days as of today. Superintendent Craig Tice is basically telling parents to get ready for remote learning if we get one more big hit.
And let’s be real about the "7 day weather syracuse ny" search intent: people want to know if they’re going to be trapped. The National Weather Service is currently showing about a 50% chance of snow showers for most of the early week.
Quick Glance at the Numbers:
- Friday (Today): High 29°F / Low 16°F. Cloudy, then snow showers.
- Saturday: High 37°F / Low 25°F. Snow showers likely.
- Sunday: High 27°F / Low 20°F. Partly sunny (believe it when you see it).
- Monday: High 23°F / Low 10°F. Light snow and windy.
- Tuesday: High 15°F / Low 9°F. Cold. Just... very cold.
- Wednesday: High 26°F / Low 15°F. More snow showers.
- Thursday: High 22°F / Low 15°F. Mostly cloudy.
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Syracuse Snow
People think we just get one big "storm" and that’s it. Nah. Syracuse weather is a marathon of lake effect "nuisance" snow. It’s the constant 1-2 inches every night that wears you down.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted this winter would be "milder and drier," but try telling that to someone standing at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport right now where the visibility is down to less than a mile. Even in a "down" year, Syracuse still out-snows almost everywhere else in the country.
Survival Tips for the Next 7 Days
- Check your tires today. If you’re sliding on the 29-degree slush today, you’re going to be in a ditch on Tuesday when it freezes into a sheet of ice.
- Top off the washer fluid. The salt spray on I-81 is going to be legendary this week. You’ll go through a gallon of the orange de-icer stuff in three days.
- Watch the wind. Monday and Tuesday are the dangerous days for frostbite. With 16-19 mph winds and temps in the teens, exposed skin is a bad idea.
- Download the local apps. ParentSquare if you’re a parent, or the Finger Lakes Weather app for the hyper-local updates that the big national outlets usually miss.
Basically, the next week is a standard Syracuse January. It’s cold, it’s grey, and you’ll probably be shivering while you pump gas. Just keep the ice scraper in the front seat, not the trunk. You’re gonna need it.
To stay ahead of the conditions, ensure your vehicle's emergency kit is stocked with blankets and a portable shovel before the Monday temperature drop. Keep a close eye on the hourly updates for Tuesday morning, as that wind chill will likely necessitate school delays or remote transitions across Onondaga County.