Storm Draws to a Close
Low pressure is centered just south of Long Island this morning and drifting eastward, pulling the snow away from the Finger Lakes.
At 8 AM, snow was still falling lightly across the eastern half of the region. This will come to an end over the next couple hours with just a few stray flurries lingering.
Snow amounts vary about as much as they possibly could across the region. Along and north of the Thruway, just a couple inches fell. In Tioga county, 30-40 inches is on the ground.
A preliminary look at snow totals seems to indicate the forecast stood up pretty well. I hope to have more detailed analysis later.
Some breaks of sunshine will push through this afternoon, but clouds will generally hang tough, thanks to some enhancement from Lake Ontario. Winds will be near or under 5 mph from the north and northeast.
High temperatures today will reach the mid and upper 20s. The clouds tonight will help temperatures hold in the 20s or upper teens.
Friday will turn sunnier as high pressure moves in and overtakes the influence from Lake Ontario. Some clouds will still be possible early, but by the afternoon, most areas should have clear skies.
High temperatures Friday will be similar to today, but once the sun sets, the temperature will drop in a hurry. Widespread teens and single digits are likely and a few places could even slip below zero. This is most likely in the typically colder pockets of the Southern Tier and especially where a deep snowpack now exists.
Weather Leading Up to Christmas
Clouds will increase on Saturday and winds will turn to the south out ahead of a weak disturbance. This will be the first in a series of weak systems that keep our weather unsettled, but with minimal impact on day-to-day life.
Temperatures will recover from the cold nighttime with highs ranging through the 30s. The Rochester area will be warmest in the upper 30s, while Cortland and Tioga county are around 30.
Snow showers will overspread the region on Sunday, possibly ending with a little rain mixing it. Monday will be mostly cloudy, with rain and snow showers moving back in on Tuesday.
Sunday and Tuesday will have temperatures in the mid and upper 30s, while Monday reaches the low 40s.
A slightly stronger low pressure system is hinted at on the models by Christmas Eve on Thursday. It is far from certain whether this system will even materialize, and if it did, whether it would bring rain, snow, or both to the region.
If a stronger system did develop, cold air would likely build in for Christmas and the days to follow. If the system does not form, more of the same could be expected with temperatures in the 30s and some occasional rain and snow showers.
More Information:
» Finger Lakes Weather Radar
» Zip Code Forecasts
John G
Thanks so much for your fine weather reporting! I will donate once we get the stimulus payment!!!???