Cold front brings clouds today, snow tomorrow

finger lakes weather forecast cold front rain snow wind
After a cloudy but mostly quiet Tuesday, low pressure will bring light snow accumulations to the Finger Lakes on Wednesday. [Photo by Joan Lockwood]

Cold Front

A slow moving cold front is draped across the region this morning.

As of 7 am, a few scattered showers exist along the front in the Syracuse area, but the rest of the region was dry. Through the morning, most areas will continue to be rain free, but a shower here and there will continue to be possible.

The front will remain stationary over the area or may even retreat to the northwest some this afternoon. A few breaks of sun will be possible, but for the most part, it will just be a cloudy, quiet day.

Temperatures will not be as warm as yesterday, with highs mostly within a couple degrees on either side of 50 degrees.

Low pressure will develop tonight along the front over the Mid-Atlantic and should be in northeastern Pennsylvania by Wednesday morning. This will lead to an influx of precipitation and cooler air into the region.

Most of the region will be looking at a band of precipitation that will move through during Wednesday morning. Precipitation type will be mixed, with rain more likely the further south and east with snow to the northwest. Even areas that see rain at first will end with a brief period of snow.

The best chance for several hours of steadier snow will be from Canandaigua north and west. In these areas, several inches may fall. For the rest of the Finger Lakes, it looks as though the duration of the snow Wednesday morning will be short enough that accumulations will be limited to a coating to perhaps an inch or two.

Even once the primary band of precipitation moves through, scattered snow showers will continue into Wednesday afternoon, evening, and into the overnight. Locally another inch or two may fall, especially after sunset.

Temperatures will stick to the low and mid 30s for much of Wednesday, but many areas will drop into the upper and even mid 20s Wednesday night. The coldest air will be found in western Steuben and Allegany counties, where even low 20s will be possible. All the Finger Lakes should fall to or several degrees below freezing.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast tuesday april 20 2021
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.

Behind the Low

The chances for snow will diminish on Thursday, though a few stray flurries will still be likely early on. Otherwise, the biggest story will the wind.

Gusts will increase over 40 mph early in the morning and persist throughout the daytime hours. Most areas should not see gusts over 50 mph, though. These winds will be from the northwest and should lessen as the sun goes down.

Temperatures on Thursday will be a couple degrees warmer than on Wednesday, thanks to the lack of precipitation. Look for highs around 40 degrees.

Winds will become more westerly Thursday night, helping to keep temperatures from falling too far as skies become clear. Morning lows Friday will be around 30 degrees.

Friday will be sunny throughout the day and temperatures will start to rebound. Highs should easily reach the low and mid 50s Friday afternoon.

Saturday will be even warmer with highs in the low 60s. The day will start sunny, but clouds will increase during the afternoon.

Those clouds will be associated with our next weather maker, which will bring rain into the region on Sunday. With clouds and rain, highs on Sunday will be in the low 50s.

That system will clear out Sunday night, leaving a cooler Monday behind. With a mix of sun and clouds, highs should be in the mid 40s.

A more significant push of warm air is likely for the middle of next week with highs in the 70s by Wednesday and possibly flirting with 80 on Thursday.

More Information:

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

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finger lakes weather 7-day forecast tuesday april 20 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.