Rain and wind Tuesday usher in extended cold spell

Cold Front Tuesday

A powerful cold front is approaching the Finger Lakes Tuesday, resulting in a rainy, windy day before the cold air arrives.

Rain is overspreading the Finger Lakes this morning and will continue to become steadier through the morning.

The rain may let up for a time during the afternoon before reintensifying for the evening hours, especially across the eastern Finger Lakes.

Total rain amounts should be between a quarter and a half inch through midnight tonight. The rain should be over across the region by then.

Strong south winds will continue to buffet the area with gusts of 40-55 mph throughout the morning. These winds may subside slightly this afternoon but will remain strong.

Temperatures will remain in the mid and upper 40s with a few places north of I-90 hitting the low 50s.

The cold front itself will move through during the late evening hours, causing temperatures to fall through the 30s.

Lake Effect Snow Updates

Behind the cold front, an extended period of lake effect snow is likely to begin.

For Wednesday, the lake effect snow should remain northwest of the Finger Lakes region, extending from Buffalo to areas west of Rochester. A few squalls could make it into Rochester from time to time.

Thursday is looking much more favorable for some flurries and squalls in the Finger Lakes as winds turn towards the west.

The band will likely be on the move early Thursday before remaining more or less in place for the afternoon.

Areas such as Dansville, Penn Yan, Watkins Glen, Ithaca, and Cortland will have the best chance for some of these squalls with perhaps a couple inches of accumulation, especially for areas further west.

On Friday, the lake effect looks like it will head back north, out of the Finger Lakes.

Cold Air Here to Stay

Temperatures behind the cold front will turn more wintry for an extended period of time.

Highs this week will remain in the 30s, with upper 30s on Wednesday and low and mid 30s Thursday and Friday.

South winds will help temperatures into the mid or upper 30s on Saturday as a small system passes through.

This will usher in even colder air, with highs Sunday expected to only be in the mid and upper 20s.

Another system will move through during the middle part of next week. Ahead of this system, some more 30s are possible, but behind it, temperatures will tumble into the teens and 20s for highs.

Temperatures are then expected to remain near or below freezing through at least next weekend.