Milder today, but chilly through the weekend

finger lakes weather forecast wednesday march 3 2021 sun clouds cold front snow lake effect
After a warmer day today, a cold front tonight will bring snow showers into tomorrow and cooler temperatures that will last through the weekend. [Photo by Gwen Moshier]

Cold Front Tonight

A warmer day is in store for the Finger Lakes today, but another cold front tonight will make the warm-up very brief.

Milder air has already begun to push into the Finger Lakes overnight. Morning temperatures range from the mid 30s in the western half of the region to the low teens in pockets of the east.

Southwest winds and sunshine this morning will help boost temperatures with afternoon highs in the low and mid 40s.

This afternoon, winds will turn more westerly and even northwesterly. Clouds will also be on the increase, but most of the precipitation should hold off until after sunset. By this time, temperatures will be back into the mid 30s, so snow will be the primary precipitation type.

Snow will increase through the evening and into the overnight hours, enhanced by Lake Ontario. Widespread light snow showers will become likely for a time before the area of snow shrinks as dawn Thursday approaches.

Accumulations from the snow will be minor, with most areas seeing an inch or less. A few pockets could see upwards of two inches, mostly in higher terrain.

By dawn Thursday, temperatures will be in the mid 20s. Snow will continue to diminish through the early and mid-morning hours. With winds out of the north, the best chance for morning flurries tomorrow will be from the Bristol Hills eastward to near Cayuga Lake.

Northwest winds will increase after sunrise with gusts throughout Thursday reaching around 30 mph. Some minor blowing and drifting of the snow will be possible. Skies will gradually trend sunnier, though I suspect areas of lake effect clouds will linger.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast wednesday march 3 2021
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.

Cool Weekend Before Warm-Up

Temperatures will fall back into the teens Thursday night with pockets of single digits. Friday will be a blustery day as northwest winds increase further. Top gusts should be between 35-40 mph.

Sunshine Friday morning will yield to an increase in clouds later in the day. Like today, snow showers will move in by evening as a cold front drops in from the north. Unlike today, highs on Friday will only top out around 30 degrees.

Snow showers will linger through the night and well into Saturday. Accumulations should again be minimal. Wind gusts through Friday night and Saturday will be near or under 30 mph, leading to minor blowing and drifting, but nothing like we saw earlier this week. Temperatures Saturday will top out in the low to perhaps mid 20s.

High pressure will take over for Sunday, leading to an increase in sunshine. Temperatures will gain a couple degrees with highs in the mid 20s.

A more substantial warm-up will take place next week. Monday should push toward 40 degrees while upper 40s are more likely by Tuesday. There could be a few rain showers early Tuesday.

Even warmer weather is likely for the middle of next week with widespread 50s at least. A cold front late Thursday will bring some rain showers and a slight cool down for the weekend with temperatures close to the seasonal average.

More Information:

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finger lakes weather 7-day forecast wednesday march 3 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.