Quiet and cooler to end the week before active weekend weather

finger lakes weather forecast thursday february 25 2021 sun clouds snow cooler active weekend weather
Generally quiet conditions are likely for the end of this week with highs in the 30s. The weekend looks more unsettled as 40s make a brief return. [Photo by Gwen Moshier]

Return to the 30s

Cooler air is settling back into the Finger Lakes following the passage of a cold front last night.

To our north, a second weak front is poised to drop south today. As the front does so, a few snow showers will flare up, enhanced by Lake Ontario. These are most likely between 9 AM and Noon, but a few stray flurries may linger longer.

Wayne, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Cortland counties will have the best chance at seeing these snow showers. Little to no accumulation is expected.

Outside of the snow this morning, skies will be rather cloudy. However, a clearing trend will begin this afternoon, and most areas should end the day sunny. Temperatures will be fifteen to twenty degrees cooler than yesterday, topping out in the low and mid 30s.

With clear skies and light winds tonight, temperatures will easily slip back into the teens. After midnight, winds will turn to the southwest and temperatures will begin to climb. Many areas should reach the low 20s by dawn Friday.

High pressure will keep control of our weather on Friday with plenty of sunshine and few, if any, clouds. Light winds will gradually turn to the south, then southeast as the high moves across Pennsylvania.

Temperatures will get a small boost from the sunshine and southerly flow with highs mostly in the upper 30s.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast thursday february 25 2021
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.

Unsettled Weekend Weather

Friday night will not be as cold as clouds and south winds increase. By dawn Saturday, temperatures will be rising through the 20s and into the low 30s. Wind speeds will be around 15 mph with gusts of 30-40 mph.

Snow showers will begin to move in prior to dawn but should change over to rain once the sun rises. A few pockets of freezing rain will also be possible during the transition, mostly occurring in cold pockets of the Southern Tier and Central New York.

Gusty winds will continue through the morning but will begin to decrease by the afternoon. Likewise, rain showers will persist into the midday hours before ending. Some sunshine should work its way through the clouds and temperatures will top out in the mid and upper 40s.

Another weather system will approach the region from the south on Sunday.

Saturday night will start off clear, but clouds will increase after midnight. South winds will pick up again but will not be as strong as Friday night or Saturday morning. Temperatures will hold in the mid and upper 20s throughout the day.

Winds will become more southeasterly after sunrise and clouds will remain over the area. A few rain showers will make it into the region during the midday and afternoon hours.

Temperatures will not be as warm as on Saturday, but low and mid 40s for highs are still expected.

A few more rain showers will be possible overnight as a cold front slides through. Temperatures will stay in the low 30s Sunday night and will top out in just the mid 30s on Monday. Incoming high pressure will keep conditions dry though, with a mix of sun and clouds.

Clear skies Monday night will send temperatures back into the teens. Tuesday will be sunny with low 30s. The weather for the middle and especially end of next week looks unsettled, but still highly uncertain.

Behind that unsettled weather, a couple of chilly days look possible before warmer weather tries to build back in. We seem to be gradually transitioning from Deep Winter to the battle of the seasons right on schedule.

More Information:

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

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finger lakes weather 7-day forecast thursday february 25 2021This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.

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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.