Oppressive heat was followed by severe thunderstorms across the Finger Lakes on Saturday. Could more severe weather occur Tuesday?
Saturday Summary
Saturday turned out to be every bit as hazardous as was expected, if not even a bit more so.
The day started with temperatures soaring into the low and mid 90s. With dew points in the upper 70s, heat index values during the early and mid afternoon topped out above 100 degrees for many areas. Rochester, Penn Yan and Dansville all saw temperatures of 95 degrees or hotter, not including the humidity.
Thunderstorms began to develop by the early afternoon and were a continuous presence in the region until the sun had set. Numerous rounds of strong to severe storms moved through the area, causing scattered reports of wind damage and very heavy rain.
Many areas in the Finger Lakes saw over 0.75″ of rain, but thankfully, flood issues did not develop in our immediate area.
There was one reported lightning strike in Owasco, but I have not seen any updates on the man’s condition. Hopefully he will be just fine. There were also a number of people injured in eastern New York from lightning.
Quieter Weather Settles In
A slow moving front helped trigger all of the hazardous weather yesterday. That front has pushed through the region. It will still be a bit muggy, but not nearly so warm for the next couple of days.
Showers will remain a possibility through the day, but thunderstorms are unlikely and severe weather or flooding is not expected. Temperatures will be mostly in the upper 70s to low 80s.
Monday primarily looks dry. though a stray shower cannot totally be ruled out. Temperatures will remain more comfortable, with highs in the low and mid 80s.
Watching Tuesday
Tuesday could get interesting again around the Finger Lakes. Low pressure has been sitting along the Gulf Coast since late last week, dumping over 2 feet of rain in some parts of Louisiana. This low will track north into the Midwest and Great Lakes before moving into our neighborhood on Tuesday.
Current projections take the track of the low across or north of Lake Ontario. Heavy rain will fall to the west and north of the track, and is currently expected to miss the Finger Lakes.
However, the timing of the passage of the low may be such that thunderstorms south and east of the low will develop in our vicinity Tuesday afternoon. The Storm Predicition Center has the area in a marginal risk for severe storms, with a slight risk across southeast New York and northeast Pennsylvania.The area of highest risk will likely be adjusted over the coming days.
Due to the strength of the winds with the low and its close proximity, there has to be at least some concern for tornadoes. This will be something to watch closely over the next 48-72 hours.
