Storm system brings rain, wind, cold, and snow

finger lakes weather forecast thursday april 9 2020 cold front windy rain snow
A strong cold front will move through the Finger Lakes today with rain and strong winds. Cold air and snow will settle in for Friday. [Photo by Gwen Moshier]

Windy and Unsettled

A strong area of low pressure is tracking across the Finger Lakes this morning.

Temperatures are starting today in the upper 40s as we reside on the warm side of the system. Periods of rain are working through and will continue on and off through the morning.

During the midday hours, temperatures will fall from west to east as the low pushes further east and drags a cold front through. By 1 or 2 PM, the front should depart the region to the east.

In the immediate aftermath of the front, temperatures will fall back into the upper 30s and low 40s as strong northwest winds take hold. Some rain along the front may turn to snow for a brief time, especially over higher elevations.

Winds will gust between 40-50 mph this afternoon. A few stray showers or flurries will be possible, as will a little sun poking through from time to time.

Temperatures in the late afternoon may bounce back up to the mid and upper 40s, especially if any sun comes out.

The wind will subside after sunset as temperatures fall back through the 30s. A few more flurries will be possible, but nothing widespread or significant is expected tonight.

However, snow will become widespread and steady Friday morning as moisture rotates back into the region from the north. Many areas will see a coating of white and higher elevations should see a couple slushy inches.

The snow will taper off during the afternoon, but on and off flurries will linger. Again, some breaks of sun will be possible, but for the most part, it should stay cloudy.

Winds will whip again from the northwest with gusts throughout the day around 45-50 mph.  The cold wind will keep temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast april 9 2020
Click to enlarge.

Temperatures Spike, then Crash

Limited bands of lake effect snow will develop Friday night and persist into the first part of Saturday.

With northwest winds, these bands will focus across the northern and eastern areas favored for lake effect. Locally an inch or so may fall.

While still blustery, the winds Saturday will not be nearly as strong with top gusts around 30 mph.

Some sun will come out late in the day and temperatures will reach the mid and upper 40s.

Easter Sunday will have sunshine filtered through some clouds form much of the day. A few showers will also be possible from time to time. Some of these may show up on radar but fail to reach the ground.

Winds will be from the south on Sunday, pushing highs in the upper 50s.

Another strong storm system will move in for Monday. The path of the storm will determine how warm we get and how windy it becomes, as well as whether we will see any thunderstorms. Regardless, it should be a mild, breezy, and wet day.

The warm weather will not last, though. Another sharp cold front will cause temperatures to crash Monday evening. Highs Tuesday and Wednesday next week will be in the 40-45 degree range.

Right now, precipitation on those days looks to stay out of the region, but there will be enough moisture nearby that that could change. Cool weather will stay in place through the end of the week and into the next at a minimum.

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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.