Cold front brings strong winds, a few storms

finger lakes weather forecast friday march 26 2021 cold front windy weekend weather
Strong winds will accompany a cold front today, the first in a series of fronts over the coming week. [Photo by Helen Heizyk]

Low Pressure Passes By

A strong area of low pressure is centered just west of Buffalo this morning.

Already, showers and a few thunderstorms ahead of the low have rumbled through the Finger Lakes early this morning.

An area of mostly clear skies will rotate through the region during the mid and late morning hours. During this time, temperatures will jump into the mid and upper 60s. South winds will also pick up with gusts over 40 mph becoming more common.

The cold front will follow this sunny period during the midday hours. Clouds will increase and a few more showers and storms may pop up. A strong to severe storm may even be possible, mostly in the Syracuse area, and areas further north and east, outside of the Finger Lakes.

Winds will turn to the southwest and increase further with gusts over 50 mph possible. These strong winds will persist into the afternoon but will start to diminish late in the day.

Temperatures will drop with the frontal passage, with just a couple hours in the 50s before temperatures reach the 40s during the late afternoon.

Winds will continue to drop overnight as the storm system pulls away. A few evening showers may be possible, but skies will gradually turn partly cloudy thereafter.

By Saturday morning, winds will start to shift back to the southwest as the next weather system approaches. With a mix of sun and clouds, temperatures should bounce back with highs in the upper 50s and low 60s.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast friday march 26 2021
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.

Active Spring Pattern

A new low pressure system will track northeast into the Great Lakes on Sunday, only to redevelop along the New England coast.

Rain showers will enter the region on Sunday morning and continue into the afternoon. Just how much rain we see will depend on the paths of the lows and their transfer of energy.

High temperatures should reach the mid 50s during the early to perhaps mid afternoon.

Gusty northwest winds will develop late in the day and cold air will move in. Lingering evening showers will transition to some wet snow before ending. No accumulation is expected outside of perhaps a light coating over some higher elevations.

Monday and Tuesday look quiet across the region with varying amounts of sunshine. Monday’s high temperatures will be in the mid 40s, but Tuesday should bounce back near 60 degrees.

Another strong cold front will move in on Wednesday. Ahead of the front, temperatures will surge into the 60s. Behind the front, a rapid drop into the 30s will be possible.

There is a decent chance that we will see some snow out of this system as well. Whether that is a few flurries as the precipitation ends, or a more prolonged snow as low pressure redevelops along the coast is too soon to tell.

Temperatures will be cooler for a couple days behind this system, but should have no trouble returning to the 50s before next weekend is over.

More Information:

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

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finger lakes weather 7-day forecast friday march 26 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.