Temperatures will reach the 60s Thursday and Friday before everything changes Saturday.
Taste of Spring Continues
The Finger Lakes will continue to feel more like April than late February for Thursday and Friday.
Temperatures are starting Thursday in the 40s and 50s and should have no trouble warming into the 60s by this afternoon. Many areas will see high temperatures in the mid or even upper 60s.
The sun will be in and out of clouds today. While not as likely, if enough sun breaks out, a few parts of the northern Finger Lakes could hit 70 degrees this afternoon.
Some scattered rain showers will begin to work in during the afternoon from northwest to southeast. Some areas will not see any rain this afternoon, and those that do will only see light showers.
After a break in most of the rain this evening, precipitation will move back in from the south after midnight and into Friday morning. There are still uncertainties on how much rain will fall Friday morning, which in turn impacts how warm it may get.
Skies should still clear out by the afternoon and even warmer air will be transported north into the region. The chances of seeing some 70 degree readings will be higher, especially across the central and southern Finger Lakes. Ithaca has a good chance at setting a new record high for the month of February, which currently sits at 67 degrees.
Further north, winds may remain out of the north, bringing a cooling effect off of Lake Ontario for much of the day. Areas along the lake shore could struggle to get out of the 40s and 50s. How far inland that cold air is able to penetrate is uncertain.
Stormy Saturday Ends Warmth
Saturday will be a day of change as a strong cold front barrels through the region. This front will likely arrive during the midday hours.
Winds ahead of this front will be strong, with gusts of 40-50 mph possible. This strong wind will help drive temperatures back towards 60 degrees before the front arrives.
As the front moves in, a band of heavy rain, strong winds, and thunder and lightning will be possible. This band may even prompt some severe thunderstorm warnings for the chance of locally damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph.
Rain and wind will continue behind the initial squall line as temperatures quickly fall back into the 40s. By Saturday evening, temperatures will only be in the 30s as the rain clears out. Sunday looks quiet and rather sunny, but cool and breezy.
Highs Sunday will be right about normal with mid and upper 30s, but after the extended warmth and with the wind, it will feel quite cold.
