If you’ve lived in the Capital Region long enough, you know the drill. You check the app, it says "partly cloudy," and ten minutes later you’re scraping a surprise glaze of ice off your windshield at the Clifton Common. It’s just how it goes here.
Right now, Clifton Park is sitting at a crisp 26°F, but honestly, that number is a bit of a lie. With a light south wind at 6 mph, the feels-like temperature is actually 20°F. It’s that biting damp cold that sneaks under your coat.
Why the Weather Forecast for Clifton Park New York Is Looking Messy
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 33°F and a low of 27°F. That’s basically the "danger zone" for Saratoga County commuters. When the mercury hovers right around freezing, the roads transition from wet to treacherous in the blink of an eye.
Expect light snow during the day with a 45% chance of precipitation. As we head into tonight, that shifts to snow showers, though the probability drops to 20%.
The Clipper Problem
A lot of people think our big storms only come from the coast. Not true. We’re currently dealing with "Alberta Clippers"—those fast-moving systems that scream down from Canada. They don’t always dump a foot of snow, but they bring that fine, powdery stuff that turns the Northway into a skating rink.
The humidity is sitting high at 79% for the day, which means that snow is going to feel heavy. It’s not that light, fluffy "blower" snow skiers love; it’s the kind that sticks to your shovel and makes your back ache by Sunday morning.
What’s Actually Happening This Week
If you’re planning your week, don't get too comfortable with these mid-30s temps. The data suggests a shift is coming. While we've had a bit of a "January Thaw" vibe lately—with some regional temps trending nearly 6 degrees warmer than last year—the Polar Vortex is starting to wobble.
- Saturday Night: Clouds stick around. South winds stay steady at 9 mph.
- The "MLK Day" Outlook: We might see a more significant dip in temperatures as we head toward Monday.
- The Ice Factor: Since the low tonight is 27°F, anything that melts today will be black ice by tomorrow morning.
Honestly, the local microclimate here is weird. Because we’re tucked between the Adirondacks and the Helderbergs, the Mohawk Valley can funnel wind in ways that the "official" Albany airport readings don't always catch. You might be seeing flurries in Rexford while it’s bone dry in Halfmoon.
Getting Real About the Gear
Stop using those tiny plastic scrapers. If you're parking outside near Exit 9 or 10, you need a full-sized brush with a brass blade.
- Layers matter more than the coat. A heavy parka over a t-shirt is a recipe for shivering. Go with a base layer, a fleece, and then the shell.
- Check your tires. If your tread is lower than the top of Lincoln’s head on a penny, stay off Route 146 today.
- Salt early. Don't wait for the snow to stop. Putting down a layer of calcium chloride now prevents the bond between the ice and your sidewalk.
Beyond the Daily Flurries
Looking further out, the Weather Forecast for Clifton Park New York shows a colder trend for the end of January. While snowfall has been lower than average so far this season (roughly 10th least in 40 years for this time of year), don't let that fool you. Historically, February is our "snow-maker" month.
We are currently seeing a 58% humidity level tonight, which is actually relatively dry for a winter night in Upstate New York. It means the air won't feel quite as "heavy" as it does during those humid 30-degree days, but the cold will feel sharper.
Survival Steps for the Next 24 Hours
If you have to be out, give the plows room. The Town of Clifton Park highway crews are good, but they can't fight physics.
- Check your wipers. If they’re streaking now, they’ll fail you when the salt spray starts hitting the glass on I-87.
- Top off the fluid. Use the de-icer stuff (usually the purple or orange liquid), not the cheap blue water.
- Watch the south wind. A 9 mph wind doesn't sound like much, but on open stretches near the river, it creates localized drifting.
The best thing you can do right now is check your outdoor vents. With snow showers expected tonight and temperatures dropping to 27°F, make sure your furnace exhaust isn't blocked by drifting snow or ice buildup. It’s a small thing that prevents a massive headache (or worse) in the middle of the night.
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Stay warm, drive slow, and maybe grab a cider doughnut while you wait for the flurries to pass.