Heavy Rain, Strong Winds
A large storm system is slowly spinning eastward from the Midwest and is located between Chicago and Detroit this morning.
A cold front is out ahead of the low, stretching from southern Ontario, through western Pennsylvania, and into the Mid Atlantic and Carolinas. Along and ahead of this front, widespread steady rain, often moderate to heavy, is falling.
This band of rain will creep eastward today, overspreading the Finger Lakes with drenching rain.
The western half of the Finger Lakes will see the heaviest rain between the late morning and mid-afternoon, while the eastern half will see heavier rain in the late afternoon and evening hours.
Widespread rain amounts near or over an inch are likely, though there are bound to be some pockets of areas that receive less. There is also the chance for isolated amounts of two inches or more.
Flood watches are in effect for the southeastern portion of the region. These locations will not necessarily see more rain than the rest of the Finger Lakes, though that is a possibility, but are more prone to flooding based on topography, rivers, and recent rainfall.
Both flash flooding and minor main stem river flooding will be possible. Remember to never drive through floodwaters, as there is no way to tell whether or not the road underneath the water has been washed away.
In addition to the heavy rain, winds will remain strong until the rain band moves in. Gusts over the eastern Finger Lakes, where the winds will stay strong longest, could approach or exceed 50 mph. The wind will continue to be from the southeast.
Temperatures today will stay in the 50s, rising to the upper 50s before the rain, then falling back into the low 50s behind the rain.
Warm Weekend
On Friday, a new low pressure will develop along the East Coast and lift northeast. Clouds and a few showers will still be in place across the Finger Lakes, but most of the precipitation with this new low will stay to the east.
The best chance for a few showers tomorrow will be early in the morning, and again during the mid to late afternoon. Rain amounts will be very low, so no additional flooding concerns are expected.
Friday’s temperatures will top out in the mid and upper 50s.
High pressure will build in behind these systems with clearing skies Friday night. This will lead into a sunny Saturday. Despite northwest winds much of the day, highs should be between 60-65 degrees.
Sunday will probably be even warmer with some 70s possible. Sunshine will mix with clouds and a few showers will be possible here and there.
Low pressure will pass to our south Sunday night. Heavy rain is not expected in our region but should stay well to the south.
Nonetheless, a couple cool days will follow with highs in the 40s Monday and Tuesday, followed by 50s the rest of the week. Average highs for early May are in the 60s, so next week’s temperatures will be cooler than average.
No snow is expected in the Finger Lakes or surrounding areas, despite what some local media outlets would like you to think.
Photo Request
My photo library is severely lacking in springtime pictures showing standing water, puddles, and minor flooding. If you have any such photos, or come across a SAFE photo opp today, please send your pictures along to fingerlakesweather [at] gmail.com. More information by clicking the banner below. Thank you!
