Stubborn Clouds Linger
A small disturbance is taking its time departing the region early this morning.
Showers still linger at 7 AM across the southeastern quadrant of the Finger Lakes with thick clouds across the rest of the region.
The rain will diminish by mid-morning, but the clouds will hang tough into the afternoon. Some sunshine will work through only during the late afternoon hours with a brief period of mostly clear skies this evening.
Nonetheless, temperatures are still expected to mostly reach the low 50s this afternoon, with higher elevations around 50 degrees. The clear evening skies will allow temperatures to quickly fall into the upper 30s and low 40s.
As clouds increase tonight ahead of a large weather complex, the temperature will hold steady through the overnight. Skies will be mostly overcast again by Thursday morning.
These clouds will be out ahead of the remains of Hurricane Zeta, which will merge with a storm system bringing significant winter weather to the Southern Plains.
Rain will arrive from south to north Thursday afternoon and will continue steadily into the evening and overnight hours. The further south, the higher rain totals should be, with areas south of the southern tips of the lakes having the best shot at approaching an inch of rain.
The rain is expected to turn to snow Thursday night, but confidence is increasing that the snowy period will be brief as the storm pulls away Friday morning. Predicted snow amounts have been trending steadily lower on the models over the last 12-36 hours, and I do not feel there is even a need for a snow map.
Most areas in the Finger Lakes will see no accumulation or a slight coating on grassy surfaces. Elevations above roughly 1500 feet have the best shot at a slushy inch or two. Road conditions should generally remain in good shape, though lesser traveled higher elevation roads could be a bit slushy Friday morning.
Weekend Weather and Beyond
With precipitation pulling out early Friday morning, there will be more opportunity for sunshine instead. Expect a mix of sun and clouds throughout the day. It will be breezy though, with north and northwest winds gusting to 25 mph at times.
The lack of precipitation and extra sunshine Friday will boost temperatures a bit over what has been expected. Instead of low and mid 30s for highs, look for upper 30s and a few areas breaking above 40 degrees.
Friday night will still be cold, but again, not as cold as it would have been with a snowpack. Any plants that have survived the season thus far will almost certainly be damaged or killed as temperatures tumble into the 20s for all but the lake shores.
Halloween on Saturday looks sunny and dry, with temperatures mostly reaching the mid 40s. Evening temperatures will fall into the mid and upper 30s with moonlit skies staying mostly clear.
Clouds will increase on Sunday as the next system rolls in with some late day rain showers. Those showers will turn to flurries overnight. Behind this system, Monday will be windy and cold with a spray of lake flakes. Most of the region could see a coating of snow, but not much more.
High temperatures Sunday will reach the low 50s while Monday sits in the 30s.
Temperatures will bounce back quickly, with 50s likely by Wednesday. That will kick off another period of more comfortable temperatures, and unfortunately more dry weather, prolonging the continuing drought.
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