Warm-up continues through the weekend with sunny, dry conditions

Dominating High Pressure

Strong high pressure has a firm grip on the eastern half of the nation and will only slowly meander eastward over the next several days.

The high is centered over the Ohio Valley this morning and will not reach the Atlantic Ocean until early Monday. Even then, it will remain parked just offshore for several more days next week.

This will result in little day-to-day change in the weather here in the Finger Lakes. Only the temperatures will change as they continue their slow but steady upward climb.

For Friday, the pattern of clear morning skies transitioning to midday and afternoon fair weather clouds will persist. Like the last few days, clouds will be most plentiful over higher elevations away from the lakes, while areas close to Lake Ontario will see few clouds. This difference in cloud cover is caused by the stabilizing effects of the cooler lake waters as well as some extra upward motion in the atmosphere due to uneven surface heating in the higher elevations due to the slopes.

A stray shower cannot be ruled out, but the majority of the area will stay completely dry, and those that do see rain will only see a brief, light shower.

Highs today will be warmest from Rochester to Penn Yan to Syracuse where upper 60s are likely. Most other areas will be in the mid 60s with a few higher elevations in the low 60s.

Skies will clear tonight, and temperatures will drop back into the 40s. The valleys of the Southern Tier will be coolest at near 40.

Weekend and Next Week

The chances for a stray shower are a small nudge higher on Saturday, but otherwise, it will be another day just like the rest. Again, almost all areas will stay dry. Sunshine will mix with fair weather clouds as usual.

Temperatures will only add a degree or two compared to today. This may be enough for a couple places along I-90 to hit 70 degrees, but most areas will be in the mid and upper 60s.

Sunday’s rain chances look even less than today and the number of fair weather clouds during the afternoon may be a bit lower than usual. A few more places will hit 70 and most will be in the upper 60s as temperatures add another degree or two.

All throughout the weekend, winds will be light with speeds near or under 5 mph. Wind directions will be variable.

More of the same is expected next week with most days featuring the typical cycle of sunshine and fair weather clouds.

Highs on Monday will be near or just above 70 for many areas. Tuesday will see a bigger jump with widespread mid 70s and a few upper 70s. By Wednesday, low 80s will start to show up in many areas.

Finally, by Thursday, there is at least a chance for some variety in the weather. High pressure will be losing its grip and a small system may bring some rain showers later in the day. Highs will remain in the upper 70s and low 80s.

More scattered showers will become possible into next weekend, but everything is still quite uncertain this far in advance. Temperatures will probably take a small step back, but highs should stay in the 60s if not 70s.

More Information:

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

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This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.