Final Day of Very Warm Weather

Last of the 80s

Temperatures across the Finger Lakes will feel like summer one final time on Wednesday before a cold front ushers in a new regime of below normal temperatures.

Today will turn out very similar to Tuesday, at least during the daytime hours.

Temperatures are starting out in the mid and upper 60s with generally clear skies. Those temperatures should quickly rise this morning as the sun climbs higher in the sky and the south wind picks up.

Daytime highs will be similar to yesterday with low 80s across much of the area and upper 70s in the Southern Tier. After all the drama made in the media about breaking record highs yesterday, today’s established records from the 1930s and 1940s are much higher and will be out of reach.

The first signs of the change will come during the afternoon as thin cloud cover starts to work in. Skies should remain at least partially sunny through sunset.

By this evening, rain showers will start to work in. A few rumbles of thunder may also be possible.

Rain and thunder chances will persist into Thursday, finally tapering off after the mid-afternoon. Severe weather and flooding are not expected.

Temperatures on Thursday will still reach the low and mid 70s before a cold front slides through. A steady and significant drop in temperature will take place Thursday night.

Friday will feel completely different. After morning lows well into the 40s, afternoon highs will struggle into the low 50s. That type of weather will stick around for the weekend and next week, possibly lingering even longer.

With above normal temperatures unlikely again until November, it seems reasonable to conclude that today will be the final day with 80-degree heat in the Finger Lakes.

Hurricane Michael

Michael continues to strengthen as it races towards the Florida Panhandle. Maximum winds as of 7am this morning were set at 140 mph, making Michael a very dangerous Category 4 hurricane.

Some additional slight strengthening is forecast before landfall this afternoon. Michael is not expected to reach category 5 status, however.

Regardless, as the eye of Michael moves on shore, extreme damage from the hurricane winds are likely on par with an EF-3 tornado. Tropical storm force winds are already making their way inland.

A catastrophic storm surge is also expected along the coast near and to the east of the eye.

Michael will move quickly off to the northeast, spreading heavy rain through Georgia and the Carolinas. Flooding is likely in these areas.

By Friday morning, Michael should be moving off the coast of the United States near Virginia Beach.

No rain from Michael is expected here in the Finger Lakes.