Warm again today before series of cold fronts

finger lakes weather forecast thursday march 11 2021 sun clouds warm cold fronts
Another very warm day is in store today before temperatures start to drop. [Photo by Gwen Moshier]

Peak of Warm Weather

Temperatures will reach their pinnacle for this warm spell today before a series of fronts gradually knock temperatures back down for the weekend.

Morning temperatures are off and running with some western areas already around 60 degrees at 7 AM. South winds out ahead of a strong low over the northern Great Lakes will continue to push warm air into the region.

Accompanying the push of warmer air are a few isolated rain showers this morning. Most areas will not see any rain until after sunset, though.

Sunshine will mix with clouds today, which will put a limit on how warm it will get. Still, many areas along the I-90 corridor will be in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees. Widespread mid and upper 60s are likely throughout the region, with just a few higher elevations staying in the low 60s.

The wind will be a bit stronger than yesterday, coming in from the southwest at 10-15 mph. Top gusts today should be 25-30 mph, though the Genesee Valley will probably gust over 30 mph.

Rain showers will increase this evening as the first front approaches. Still, the rain will be scattered and light and some areas will probably stay dry.

Winds will turn to the west overnight, cutting off the supply of warm air. Temperatures will drop to the low and mid 30s by Friday morning. However, sunny skies will push temperatures back into the low and mid 50s.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast thursday march 11 2021
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.

Cooler Weekend

Late Friday afternoon, winds will begin to turn to the northwest as a second front slides through the region. This front will be accompanied by some clouds and perhaps a few spits of precipitation.

Between the front and the sun setting, temperatures will quickly drop Friday evening with widespread 20s before midnight. The wind will increase with gusts of 30-40 mph. These winds will gradually decrease after midnight and into Saturday morning.

Low 20s and upper teens will be widespread by dawn Saturday. A few lake effect clouds may be in the area early, but will quickly dissipate, leaving skies sunny once again. Temperatures will stick to the mid and upper 30s Saturday afternoon.

Winds will turn back to the west and southwest late Saturday and through Saturday night. The wind will hold temperatures in the upper 20s and low 30s overnight, despite mostly clear skies.

A final front will move through during the middle of Sunday. Ahead of the front, temperatures will rise to around 40 degrees. A drop through the 30s will then take place Sunday afternoon, thanks to another bout of strong northwest winds. Wind gusts Sunday afternoon will be 40-45 mph.

Monday will be quiet but cool with highs in the low 30s. Skies will be sunny until some clouds begin to work in late.

These clouds will be ahead of a weather system that will move in for Tuesday. Precipitation type will be a major question with this system, but at least some wintry weather should be anticipated, especially early Tuesday.

Light, scattered precipitation may linger into Wednesday and Thursday, with snow more likely at night and rain during the daytime hours.

A cooler pattern for the end of next week will increase the chances for snow showers, but major accumulations look unlikely at this time.

Beyond the end of next week, there are no strong indications of our weather pattern, so we can probably expect more trading shots of cooler and warmer air with bouts of rain and snow as the air masses shift.

In other words, pretty typical March weather.

Please note- There will be NO blog post Friday morning.

More Information:

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

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finger lakes weather 7-day forecast thursday march 11 2021
This 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.

  1. John G
    |

    Your weather reporting for the Finger Lakes region is remarkable in so many ways. I love the photos as well. It makes me feel “at home” every time I look at them!