High Pressure Dominates
December has been a very active month, but and extended break in the weather begins today.
High pressure will build in from the northwest today, pass overhead tonight, and into New England for the weekend.
There are still a few lake effect clouds lingering this morning but they should dissipate as the high presses in. Bright, sun-filled skies will be the rule for the rest of the day.
Temperatures are cold once again this morning with widespread teens and single digits. Afternoon highs will be a bit warmer than yesterday, mostly in the low 20s. Upper teens are likely in Central New York.
Winds will be very light today and will scarcely be noticeable.
A deck of thin clouds will move in this evening and persist through the overnight. This may keep temperatures a bit warmer than they would be under clear skies, but it will still be cold. Parts of Central New York and the eastern Southern Tier may drop below zero with teens and single digits elsewhere.
The clouds will thicken for Saturday morning, but then depart for Saturday afternoon. South winds will take hold and temperatures will rise. Mid 30s are likely roughly from Seneca Lake westward with low 30s to the east.
Warming Up
Clear skies are likely Saturday night, but the south wind will keep temperatures from free-falling once again. Most areas should stay in the 20s overnight.
The wind will become southwesterly on Sunday and skies will remain clear. Temperatures will respond by rising into the 40s. Most places should reach the mid 40s with pockets of low 40s in the typically cooler areas.
No change is expected Sunday night with clear skies and steady southwest winds. Temperatures will drop into the 20s across the Southern Tier and Central New York with low 30s in the rest of the Finger Lakes.
A few areas may approach 50 degrees on Monday as the pattern continues. Mid and upper 40s are expected otherwise with more sunshine.
Monday night, the wind will swing around to the north as a new area of high pressure builds into the Great Lakes. The north winds will allow clouds to return and will hold temperatures down, but no precipitation is expected. Tuesday will just be a cloudy, dry day with highs in the mid 30s.
Wednesday, Christmas Day, is our next chance for precipitation. Most of the day will be dry with sunshine filtered through thin clouds, but late in the afternoon and evening, there is a small chance for a couple showers or flurries.
Before that, though, temperatures during the afternoon should return to the 40s. Thursday and Friday should be cooler with highs in the 20s, but no snow is expected.
