Temperatures reverse course as high pressure passes through

finger lakes weather forecast thursday august 20 2020 sunny high pressure warming up
After a cool start, temperatures will rebound this afternoon, kicking off a warming trend. [Photo by Valarie Smith]

Warming Up from a Chilly Start

High pressure has moved in overhead and has our region off to a cool start.

Temperatures in the 40s and low 50s were widespread this morning. Bright, sun-filled skies will help temperatures quickly warm.

Aiding the warming-trend will be a light southwest wind that will develop as the high pressure center tracks to the southeast and a small disturbance passes to our north.

This disturbance may bring a few clouds to areas near Lake Ontario, but even those areas should have ample sunshine today.

High temperatures should range from about 75-80 degrees through the region. A few higher elevations in Central New York may not quite reach 75, and some of the typically warmer areas along and near I-90 may reach the low 80s.

Temperatures will fall back into the 60s this evening under clear skies. By Friday morning, most areas will be in the mid and upper 50s.

Friday will again be very sunny with just a few passing clouds. Winds will become more westerly and will increase with speeds up to 10 mph and gusts reaching 25 mph.

Warming temperatures will continue with highs jumping into the low and mid 80s.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast thursday august 20 2020
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.

Weekend Weather and Beyond

On Saturday, a deck of thin cloud will build in from the south. This will filter, but not completely block the sunshine. A stray shower cannot be ruled out, but most areas should remain dry.

Winds will be light and variable on Saturday and temperatures will remain warm. Upper 80s should become widespread and a few places could reach 90 degrees.

The forecast confidence continues to decline starting on Sunday, but the picture is slowly coming into focus.

Sunday’s weather will depend on the development of afternoon showers and storms. If this can happen, highs would likely be in the mid 80s. If it stays dry and sunnier, many places could make a run at 90 degrees.

Monday has a greater chance for showers and storms, and thus temperatures should be cooler with highs in the upper 70s or low 80s. If it doesn’t rain much or at all on Monday, it probably will on Tuesday.

A day or two of higher temperatures will be possible toward the middle of next week. These temperatures could be into the 90s, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty.

Late in the week, rain chances will increase again and the heat should break, leading into a longer period of comfortable temperatures.

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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.