Sun and clouds to start Spring

finger lakes weather forecast tuesday march 20 2018 spring sun clouds cool
Some clouds from a storm system over the Mid-Atlantic will reach into the Finger Lakes but with no precipitation. [Photo by Meteorologist Drew Montreuil]

Storm Stays South

The Finger Lakes will enjoy more precipitation-free weather as the latest winter storm remains south of the region.

High pressure north of the Great Lakes and disorganized jet stream to the south of the Finger Lakes will keep conditions quiet, but cool in our region.

The first of two low pressure systems is tracking across the Carolinas. Precipitation is only as far north as Washington DC and Baltimore this morning, but the edge of the cloud cover associated with this system is creeping north of the NY/PA state line.

Most of the clouds are high, thin clouds that will allow at least some sunshine through. Some thicker clouds may mix in this afternoon for southern areas.

The clockwise flow of air around the high pressure will keep our winds from the north today. Those winds will be light but will help keep temperatures well below normal.

Look for afternoon highs today in the low and mid 30s after another chilly morning.

The second part of the winter storm will develop Wednesday. This will come a bit further north, but precipitation is still expected to remain locked to the south over Pennsylvania. Wednesday should be cloudier than today though.

North winds will be a bit stronger than today as well, but still not overly blustery. High temperatures will mostly be in the low 30s Wednesday.

Remaining Chilly

The Finger Lakes will remain in a chilly pattern through the remainder of the week.

As the low pressure system departs, a new area of high pressure will cross Canada. North winds will persist between these two systems.

Thursday will have high temperatures reaching the middle 30s with a mix of clouds and some sunshine.

Friday will be similar, with more clouds in the morning and some sunshine in the afternoon. Highs will again be in the mid 30s.

Another storm system will pass from the Midwest, into the Ohio Valley, and through Virginia this weekend. Again, no precipitation is expected here, but some periods of clouds will alternate with some sun this weekend.

Temperatures Saturday will be in the low 30s, but Sunday may just make a run at 40 degrees.

By this point in March, our average daily high temperatures are in the mid 40s. So far, the daily high temperatures in March are well below normal and, on average, are about 5 degrees cooler than the average day in February.

Generally below normal temperatures are expected to persist into the start of April.

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Follow Meteorologist Drew Montreuil:
Meteorologist Drew Montreuil has been forecasting the weather in the Finger Lakes region since 2006 and has degrees in meteorology from SUNY Oswego (B.S. with Honors) and Cornell (M.S.). Drew and his wife have four young boys. When not working or playing with the boys, he is probably out for a run through the countryside.

  1. […] FLX Weather Meteorologist Drew Montreuil said on Tuesday that the region will stay chilly through the end of the week. Even as temperatures are expected to get into the mid-30s by Thursday — there isn’t any prominent warmup coming before the end of the weekend. […]