More Cool, Showery Weather Friday
The Finger Lakes region remains locked in a cool, showery pattern as a large upper-level low pressure system slowly crosses the region.
Similar to yesterday, a front associated with a surface low north of New England will rotate through the Finger Lakes.
With very chilly air aloft, any daytime heating will help pop up showers and a couple of thunderstorms this afternoon as the front moves through.
Rain showers will remain small and brief but may have some briefly heavy downpours, a little wind, and even some small hail.
The best chance for rain will be between 1-6 pm, though showers will be possible at any time.
Temperatures will top out in the low 60s for highs this afternoon.
Improving Weather
High pressure will move into the Finger Lakes for the weekend and early next week, bringing some nicer weather to the region.
The first change will be dry air entering the picture, reducing the chances for rain tonight and ending any showers by Saturday midday. One or two stray showers may still try to develop off of Lake Ontario early Saturday, but most areas will remain dry.
Skies will likely remain rather cloudy through Saturday morning before the clouds start to break up for Saturday afternoon.
Temperatures will remain cool though, with highs barely getting above 60 degrees for most areas.
Sunday will be a bit better, with a good amount of sunshine and temperatures in the mid to perhaps upper 60s.
Daily highs will finally return to the low and mid 70s on Monday and Tuesday with only some high, thin clouds on the very edge of Hurricane Irma’s cloud shield. Speaking of Irma…
Friday Irma Update
Hurricane Irma continues to buzz-saw its way towards Florida.
The forecast models are still jumping back and forth between west Florida and east Florida, but the general consensus, and official National Hurricane Center prediction, is for a track right up the spine of Florida.
Given the large size of Irma and its wind fields, this track would bring hurricane force winds from coast to coast in Florida and well north into the state as well. Based on current model projections, the entire state except the western panhandle may see hurricane force wind gusts.
Irma has undergone some strength fluctuations and lost category 5 status overnight. Winds are still extreme, currently estimated at 150 mph, making Irma a very strong category 4 storm.
Regardless of the exact track of Irma or its fluctuations in maximum wind speeds, this will be a very destructive event for south Florida, as it has been for areas already devastated.
Today is the final day for residents in Florida, and not just the southern part of the state, to rush preparations to completion and attempt to get out of Irma’s path.
Irma will quickly weaken once inland, but will not cease to be a threat until it moves into the Tennessee Valley.
Some showers from the remains of Irma may reach the Finger Lakes on Wednesday, but will not amount to very much.
Gail Dalmat
Up the spine of Florida, reminds me of my time living and working not far from the literal spine. Called the Lake Wales Ridge, I guess you could say it was a series of island dunes when the rest of peninsular Florida was under the sea the last time. Informative wikipedia link if you have time to, read through. When sea levels rise again, about all that will be left of Florida will be the Lake Wales Ridge again. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Wales_Ridge. Lots of fossils, including shark’s teeth, and bones of mammals including the tiny horses that once inhabited North America.The highest point is 300 feet. There’s a very old stone tower there too. I wonder if it will withstand this storm.