An uncharacteristic late summer heat wave and dry spell will only intensify over the Finger Lakes in the coming days.
A weak cold front slide through the region on Thursday, helping knock temperatures back a couple of degrees for Friday. Temperatures will still be above average on Friday, but highs will top out in the low to maybe mid 80s. Humidity levels should not be too high, so it should feel comfortably warm outside.
The heat will move back in and intensify over the weekend. Temperatures should easily reach the mid, if not upper 80s on Saturday, with upper 80s on Sunday and some 90s showing up for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Humidity levels will be tolerable, with dew points mostly in the 60s.
This stretch of hot weather is the most intense summer heat we have had all year and is very unlikely to be duplicated again this season.
The Finger Lakes could also really use some rain. Most of the region is below normal for rain during the last 30 days, with a large part of the Finger Lakes at less than 50% of their normal rain during the last 30 days. Unfortunately, there will be very little to no rain until late next week at the earliest.
The culprit for the heat and dry weather is a large area of high pressure over the southern Appalachians. This high will expand and build northeast, supplying our area with a fresh supply of heat from the south while keeping any weather systems from entering our region.
It does look like a cold front will break the heat around Thursday next week, possibly with some widespread showers and thunderstorms. In the mean time, stay cool and enjoy the holiday weekend.
