Snow (and rain) showers lead into warmer weather

finger lakes weather forecast wednesday december 9 2020 snow rain warming trend
Snow, mixing with rain at times, will fall throughout the region today. Warmer weather will build in behind the snow and last into the weekend. [Photo by Gwen Moshier]

Light Precipitation

Precipitation is widespread throughout the Finger Lakes this morning as a low pressure tracks across eastern Canada.

Most of the precipitation is falling as snow, but some lakeshore areas could be seeing rain mix in.

Precipitation will continue through the morning with the best chances for snow accumulations occurring over the hills of Central New York. Parts of Cayuga, Tompkins, Cortland, and Onondaga counties could see anywhere from an inch to two or three inches.

As the main area of precipitation moves out during the midday hours, a spray of on and off lake effect showers and flurries will develop on northwest winds. Most areas have a chance at some additional spotty precipitation, but the favored belt from Wayne county southeastward toward Cortland County will see the most.

Again, this will fall as a mix of rain and snow, depending on elevation and proximity to warmer lake waters.

High temperatures will range through the 30s, with low 30s in the hills and upper 30s along the lakes. Most areas will settle in the mid 30s. Temperatures should remain steady into the evening and overnight.

Lake effect showers and flurries will also continue into the overnight, but will generally be weak with few impacts. Any lingering lake effect early Thursday should die down during the morning hours.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast wednesday december 9 2020
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.
finger lakes weather 7-day forecast wednesday december 9 2020

Warming Toward the Weekend

Clouds will remain in place for much of Thursday until some sunshine starts to break out in the afternoon. Like yesterday, the sun will make its way from southwest to northeast across the region.

The sun will not impact the temperature much, as it will come after the peak heating opportunity. As such, temperatures will only rise modestly. Most areas will be near or just above 40 degrees with upper 30s in the higher elevations.

A steady south wind will develop Thursday night, holding temperatures in the 30s despite a clear evening. Some thin clouds will work in after midnight and stick around for Friday. The sun should be able to at least partially shine through these clouds until they thicken further late in the day.

The south winds and partial sunshine will boost temperatures to the low 50s for many on Friday. Higher elevations should top out in the upper 40s.

Low pressure will track northeast toward the Great Lakes on Saturday. Out ahead of this system, a west to east warm front should develop. Most indications are that this front will stretch across Lake Ontario and into Northern New York.

If this comes to pass, some rain showers would be possible in our region, especially close to Lake Ontario. A few breaks of sun could also be possible, especially for areas further south.

We would also be on the warm side of the front with highs in the mid and upper 40s. A southward jog of the front could mean more showers and cooler temperatures, though.

The low will pass to our north on Sunday, bringing some blustery winds and rain showers. Temperatures should jump into the 50s, but will drop later in the afternoon behind the low pressure’s cold front.

An active pattern along the Eastern seaboard next week will set up behind Sunday’s low. Chances are that any systems that develop in this pattern will remain to our south and east, but both Tuesday and Thursday bear close watching, just in case.

Temperatures next week will return to cooler levels with daytime highs in the 30s or upper 20s and overnight lows well into the 20s. There are hints that this airmass will not stick around though with a chance for more 40s, at least, as we head toward Christmas.

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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.