Break in weather for Wednesday

The Finger Lakes will see a break in the weather on Wednesday before more rainy weather arrives for Thursday & Friday.
The Finger Lakes will see a break in the weather on Wednesday before more rainy weather arrives for Thursday & Friday.

A small window between weather systems will bring quiet weather into the Finger Lakes for Wednesday.

The storm system that brought the rain to our region Tuesday afternoon and evening is moving off the east coast this morning. A few stray showers may linger around the Finger Lakes for a few hours this morning, but already, the vast majority of the precipitation is moving into eastern New York and New England.

Skies across the Upper Great Lakes and Midwest are partly cloudy to mostly clear, and I am optimistic that some of those sunnier skies will make their way into the Finger Lakes late this morning or, more likely, this afternoon. Temperatures should rise into the low and mid 50s.

Meanwhile, to our west, low pressure will quickly strengthen over the Plains and race northeast into the Midwest and Upper Great Lakes. An episode of severe thunderstorms will be possible later today across the areas shaded yellow (slight risk) and especially orange (elevated risk). A few tornadoes may even be possible in these areas, though wind will be the primary threat.

While no thunderstorms are expected in the Finger Lakes, some gusty winds will eventually make it our way. Before they arrive, mostly on Friday, showers will start to move in as early as Thursday morning. Thursday looks to have on and off showers, while there is a better chance for some widespread, steadier rain on Friday.

Temperatures will remain slightly above average into Friday morning. Overnight lows tonight and Thursday night should be in the mid and upper 40s, while highs on Thursday will range from the mid 50s across the Southern Tier, to near 60 degrees towards Rochester.

Cooler air will start to work in on Friday, though. Temperatures will probably drop somewhat during the day, sticking in the 40s. As cold air continues to work in, it may get cold enough for some snow to mix in with the rain Friday night, mostly over the higher elevations.

Saturday is questionable at this point, with lake effect a possibility, but not a certainty. High pressure will start to build in Sunday, drying the region out and warming it back up a bit for the first part of next week.

Follow Meteorologist Drew Montreuil:
Meteorologist Drew Montreuil has been forecasting the weather in the Finger Lakes region since 2006 and has degrees in meteorology from SUNY Oswego (B.S. with Honors) and Cornell (M.S.). Drew and his wife have four young boys. When not working or playing with the boys, he is probably out for a run through the countryside.