New York Thanksgiving Weather: Temperatures Drop, Cold Snap Forecast

This week's Thanksgiving weather in New York has brought colder temperatures to the region as a lake effect snow warning is expected to continue into the weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted a chilly and rainy holiday as rain showers hit New York City on Thanksgiving that began in the early morning and continued into the evening as temperatures remained in the low to mid-40s.

On Thursday into Friday, brisk winds replaced the rain, bringing windchills in the 20s overnight as temperatures will be in the mid to upper 40s. However, according to a local CBS News affiliate, a continuous breeze, with gusts up to 30 miles per hour will make it feel more like the 30s.

However, the coldest air of the season so far is expected to filter into the region by the weekend.

This comes as this week's weather in New York City has been cooler than average, with an average temperature of 38 degrees, 12 percent lower than the five-year average of 43 degrees. While the cooler temperatures have been accompanied by partly sunny skies and rain, the highest temperature recorded was on Wednesday at 51 degrees.

Meanwhile, the broader New York region has continued to face winter advisories as a winter storm is moving into the Northeast with "moderate to heavy snowfall likely to develop across portions of the interior Northeast," according to the NWS

The NWS office in Buffalo issued a lake effect snow warning on Thursday that went into effect at 7 a.m. local time on Friday and will last through Monday evening.

Lake effect snow is a weather phenomenon that occurs when cold, dry air moves over a large, warmer body of water, such as the Great Lakes. This snow can be intense and concentrated in narrow bands, leading to significant snowfall in some areas while other nearby regions may see little to no snow. Lake effect snow can produce 3 inches or more of snow per hour, the NWS said.

According to NWS data, widespread amounts of around 4 inches is expected across much of New York, but the counties expecting the highest snowfall include Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis.

On Friday, the NWS office in Buffalo also warned the heavy lake effect snow will continue into the weekend as snowfall rates will be strong enough to interrupt travel.

"Heavy lake effect snow will develop east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario today, with deteriorating travel conditions south of Buffalo and near Watertown. Heavy lake effect snow will continue through the weekend and even into early next week additional significant accumulations," the lake effect snow warning said.

It continued: "...Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions. Consider delaying travel. If you must travel, drive with extreme caution. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns."

Newsweek has reached out to New York Emergency Management via email for comment.

The winter storm comes as people are heading home after visiting their families for the holiday, and it could impact post-Thanksgiving travel as New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned New Yorkers to remain vigilant.

"As we gather this Thanksgiving, I encourage all New Yorkers to remain vigilant, keep an eye on local weather updates, and take precautions while traveling to join family and friends this holiday weekend," Hochul said on Thursday. "If you are traveling, please plan ahead, and prioritize safety—for yourself and others–so we can all enjoy this holiday with our loved ones safely and comfortably."

Riders board a mass transit bus on January 18 in Buffalo, New York. This week's Thanksgiving weather in New York has brought colder temperatures to the region as a lake effect snow warning is expected... John Normile/Getty Images