Sun Returns to the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is sandwiched between weather systems this morning.
A large, but weakening system is spinning off the Mid-Atlantic coast. Meanwhile, a second strong system is lifting north through the Midwest.
The coastal system is the one that brought our rain yesterday, and some clouds still remain in place this morning across the Finger Lakes.
As this system weakens and drifts northeast, the clouds should dissipate.
The western half of the Finger Lakes will burn off the clouds quickly this morning. The eastern Finger Lakes will hold onto the clouds a bit longer, but should also turn sunny during the afternoon hours.
As the skies clear, the temperatures will rise. Look for afternoon highs mostly around 70 degrees, with low 70s west of I-390.
Even Warmer Thursday
South winds ahead of the Midwest storm system will increase across our area on Thursday. Skies should remain quite sunny for much of the day.
Combined, these factors will help temperatures rise quite a bit from morning lows in the 50s.
High temperatures Thursday will top out in the upper 70s to near 80 degrees for most of the Finger Lakes. Areas along and north of I-90 from Rochester westward should see low 80s Thursday afternoon.
The dewpoint during the afternoon and early evening hours will climb to around 60 degrees. While not overly humid by summertime standards, the atmosphere will be quite moist by late April standards.
This should lead to a few late afternoon and evening thunderstorms popping up as a cold front associated with the Midwest system draws closer. A little small hail or a gusty storm are not out of the question, especially across the western Finger Lakes. Widespread significant severe weather is not anticipated.
Temperatures Retreat
The cold front will push through the Finger Lakes Thursday night with a few more showers and rumbles of thunder. Generally, though, this will not be a big rainmaker for our region.
Temperatures will trend cooler behind the front and into the weekend.
Friday and Saturday should be at least somewhat sunny, but with high thin clouds in the area. Temperatures will top out around 70 degrees on Friday with low 60s on Saturday.
Part of the reason for the cool down will be a strengthening front to our south as a new system over the middle of the nation takes shape. As this front strengthens, the air to the south of it will become warmer and the air north will become cooler.
This sets up a tricky forecast for Sunday as the front drifts north towards the Finger Lakes.
It is conceivable that temperatures along the shore of Lake Ontario stick in the 40s under the influence of a northeast wind while the western Southern Tier pushes towards the 70s on the warm side of the front.
Unsurprisingly, with the front expected to be hanging in our area, at least some scattered showers will be possible.
